Episode 14. That’s what ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said as speculation about him landing in Michigan circulated. However, after Penn State, Florida, and LSU, the Wolverines are in for a similar fate when it comes to the 35-year-old mastermind.

Kenny Dillingham was the top favorite for the new Michigan job. However, as reported by insider Chris Karpman, the Sun Devils and Dillingham are reportedly wrapping up discussions about an agreement on contract amendments to increase his annual base salary.

Reportedly, the talks started about two weeks ago when the ASU alum’s name was connected to the Ann Arbor program. But the way Dillingham feels about ASU was visible in his latest press conference.

“That’s cool, I guess,” Dillingham said of the Michigan speculation. “That’s one of the best programs in the country. It’s one of the best logos in the country. I think everybody can agree there. … (But) that doesn’t change how I feel about here.”

Dillingham’s contract was extended in January this year, running till December 31, 2030, to take his salary from $4.1 million to $5.8 million. These amendments are a sign that ASU wants its HC to be in for the long run. And why not!

He’s facilitated an immensely quick turnaround of the Sun Devils. Last season, he helped ASU clinch the Big 12 title and a playoff spot in only his second year with the program. This year, the team battled key injuries but has an 8-4 record heading to the Sun Bowl in Texas. Overall, he’s 22-16 in three years at Arizona State. 

No wonder he was a favorite to replace Sherrone Moore, who was fired by Michigan on December 10, for alleged inappropriate conduct. More importantly, though, was Dillingham’s reputation for elite quarterback development. It made him a perfect fit for securing and maximizing Michigan’s future talent, particularly five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood.

According to Kalshi Sports, a New York-based financial exchange and prediction market, Dillingham sits at 40 percent odds to be Moore’s replacement. Alabama’s HC Kalen DeBoer and the NFL’s Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator Joe Brady are also among the most-discussed names.

Taking Dillingham out of Tempe was already always a difficult challenge for Michigan. Bad light surrounding the program hasn’t helped it either. 2025 marks yet another year that controversy has enveloped Michigan football. The 2023 sign-stealing scandal is a very recent memory. Michigan still has a bowl game left to win, which features a difficult opponent in Texas. But with recruitment troubles and controversies, things at Ann Arbor stand on shaky ground at the moment.

Dillingham, who holds experience at three different Power programs — Oregon, Florida State, and Auburn, among others — has popped up as a candidate for multiple coaching jobs this season. But he has maintained his desire to remain at Tempe. If the other programs missed out on him, there was no way Michigan was going to get him.

Kenny Dillingham was never interested in any other job

Dillingham cemented himself as a name to watch out for, having scripted a poor 3-8 season the year before. After 2024, the Sun Devils didn’t want to lose the man who took them to the playoffs and produced talents like Cam Skattebo and Sam Leavitt. Turns out, Dillingham himself also wasn’t a fan of moving out.

“The one thing I can say is with a straight face, and I can feel great about: during our football season, I talked to zero people about any other job,” Dilligham said on the Travis Takes Two podcast. “After last year’s season, they wanted to be here. It’s my responsibility to do the same thing to them, that’s just what I believe in.”

Kenny Dillingham put ASU football back on the map. Before him, the last time the program saw a winning season was in 2019, with Herm Edwards. And the last time ASU registered a double-digit win finish was in 2014. Recruiting has also consistently picked up under Dillingham. The Sun Devils have the 35th-best class in the 2026 cycle, with 19 signees, led by 4-star QB Jake Fette.

“I was never leaving,” Kenny Dillingham said at a presser on November 15.

Tempe is Kenny Dillingham’s home, which makes other jobs seem less appealing to him at the moment. Moreover, he is invested in building the future of ASU football. Michigan seems to have been knocking on a door that was never going to be open. Seems like he’s following his own advice, according to a now-deleted November 30th tweet reported by Brad Crawford…

 “Beware of destination addiction.”