ABOR set to approve Kenny Dillingham contract extension

We got ahold of the extension details for ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham.

Arizona State University has extended head football coach Kenny Dillingham’s contract through the 2029 season following the team’s historic appearance in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. The Sun Devils, who earned the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye, ultimately fell to Texas in the Peach Bowl.

Dillingham, who just concluded his second season, will see his annual salary increase from $4.05 million to $5.8 million, effective Jan. 1, 2025. His salary will rise by $100,000 annually, with performance-based incentives offering significant additional earnings.

For example, nine regular-season wins trigger a $250,000 salary bump, while a College Football Playoff championship win would net him a $4 million bonus.

The deal includes retention bonuses totaling over $4 million through 2029, expanded recruiting budgets, and private jet hours for recruiting. It also enhances buyout terms, increasing penalties for early termination to up to $5 million.

By comparison, Dennis Erickson, who coached the team from 2007-2011, earned $1.5 million annually, Todd Graham (2012-2017) $3.2 million, and Herm Edwards (2018-2022) $3.9 million during their tenures. Dillingham’s proposed $5.8 million base salary positions him among the highest-paid coaches in the Big 12. Around 5th near Colorado Coach Deion Sanders’ $5.7 million he was paid in 2024. Dillingham was near the bottom of the conference before his extension and raise.

ASU’s investment in Dillingham reflects the program’s upward trajectory. The Sun Devils secured their first Big 12 Championship in 2024, (the team’s first year in the conference) generating record ticket sales and sponsorships, including a 15-year naming rights deal for Mountain America Stadium.

Dillingham has also emphasized academics, with the football program achieving its highest-ever GPA (2.99) for scholarship athletes in Spring 2024.

See all the details here.