Kenny Dillingham was rewarded on the eve of Arizona State’s greatest recreation in current reminiscence.
The Arizona State head coach has agreed to a five-year extension to stay in Tempe forward of its matchup with Texas within the quarterfinals of the School Soccer Playoff, ESPN reported Tuesday. Whereas the precise worth of the contract wasn’t revealed, Dillingham’s contract will make him one of many highest-paid coaches within the Large 12 and can give him a “pathway” to increase his contract to 10 seasons, ESPN added in its report.
Dillingham, an Arizona State alum, has shortly rotated his alma mater in simply two seasons. The 34-year-old coached the Solar Devils to a Large 12 title in 2024 after they have been picked to complete final within the convention within the preseason media ballot. Its dominant win over Iowa State within the Large 12 Championship Sport helped Arizona State safe a first-round bye within the School Soccer Playoff earlier than taking up Texas within the Peach Bowl on New 12 months’s Day.
The previous Oregon offensive coordinator was the youngest head coach within the FBS when he took over a struggling Arizona State program final 12 months. The Solar Devils have been hit onerous by accidents throughout his first season whereas enjoying with the cloud of an NCAA investigation into recruiting practices by former coach Herm Edwards.
The uber-enthusiastic Dillingham pushed all the suitable buttons this season, main a workforce that gained six straight video games into the CFP for the primary time. Dillingham made a shrewd transfer by touchdown quarterback Sam Leavitt out of the switch portal — amongst others — and has totally utilized working again Cam Skattebo, who completed fifth within the Heisman Trophy vote.
At 11-2, Arizona State has its most wins in a season since 1996. That was additionally the final time it outright gained a convention, taking house the Pac-10 title that 12 months.
The extension for Dillingham would, seemingly, arrange Arizona State to proceed to be an influence within the Large 12 after a profitable first 12 months within the convention. Dillingham’s extension will even have an elevated dedication to his teaching workers, based on ESPN.
Previous to the extension, Dillingham was incomes a $4.05 million base wage. However Arizona State’s shock season has helped him earn over $2.5 million in bonus cash. He might earn $200,000 in bonus cash if Arizona State beats Texas within the Peach Bowl.
Dillingham gave away a part of that bonus cash through the common season, donating $200,000 to members of his help workers.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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