Kenny Dillingham, the 34-year-old head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils football team, has managed to distinguish himself. After a disappointing start in 2023 with only three wins, he has successfully led the team out of the bottom. Notably, Dillingham is the first ASU football coach who is both an alumnus and a native Arizonan. This unique combination played a part in his recent decision, following the earning of a $200,000 bonus.
The recent game against in-state rivals Arizona added to the excitement of the Thanksgiving weekend college football lineup. The matchup held significant importance for Arizona State, and the outcome was a dominating victory with a 49-7 win over the Wildcats in Tucson, securing the Territorial Cup. The game concluded peacefully, unlike the Ohio State vs. Michigan clash.
Pushing & shoving between #ASU & #UA after Jacob Rich Kongaika threw the ASU pitch fork into the Arizona “A” at midfield.
Coaches got in the middle of it to break it up. @Sports360AZ#TerritorialCup pic.twitter.com/0XKb2UXQde
— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) December 1, 2024
With the win, ASU sits at 10-2, and will now vie for a chance to appear in the Big 12 championship game.
Amidst the thrill of the championship season, a gesture of generosity by Dillingham has somewhat slipped under the radar. Reports indicate that Dillingham’s contract included a clause stating that if ASU reached nine wins this season, he would receive a $200,000 bonus. Following the victory last Saturday, this milestone was achieved. In a surprising move, on Monday, Dillingham apparently informed 20 off-the-field staff members at Arizona State that they would be receiving bonuses, without disclosing that he would be personally funding these bonuses.
Sports journalist Chris Karpman shared his report via his X account:
Sources: Amazing, 100% true Thanksgiving story about Kenny Dillingham.
Saturday: Dillingham earns $200k bonus for 9 wins.
Monday: Dillingham tells 20 off-the-field ASU staffers they’ll all get a 5–10k bonus.
What Dillingham didn’t tell them (or me): He’s giving them his bonus. pic.twitter.com/KgNx6B57kQ
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) November 28, 2024
His gracious gesture is so fitting and in the spirit of this holiday season, and exactly the type of model we want our young people to see. Dillingham stresses working to be excellent as your goal, not the amount of money you make. It’s something that ASU’s stellar running back Cam Skattebo certainly takes to heart:
For the second straight week, ASU running back Cam Skattebo has three TDs in the first half.
There’s a little extra meaning to these, however, down south in the Territorial Cup. pic.twitter.com/ikK9OcIOsA
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) November 30, 2024
Then there’s the more obvious behavior: Showing generosity to others, especially when you’ve been blessed with bounty. And as we move into the Christmas season, what could be more fitting?
This is the first time in 10 years that ASU has won at least 10 games in a season. Congrats to the Sun Devils and Coach Dillingham for their high achievement!
Cam Skattebo and ASU football teammates held the Territorial Cup proudly at Arizona Stadium following a nothing-short-of-dominant performance.
The Sun Devils won at least 10 games in season for the first time since 2014. pic.twitter.com/wrajSZkfah
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) December 1, 2024
