Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham received recognition and support from Colorado’s head coach, Deion Sanders, following the Sun Devils’ hard-fought 39-31 overtime loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff. Sanders expressed his admiration through a post on X, stating, “We are proud of you and your team.”
In a thrilling game, Arizona State was down 24-8 early in the fourth quarter but mounted an impressive comeback to tie the game at the end of regulation. They even secured a brief seven-point lead in overtime. However, a crucial fourth-down conversion from Texas leveled the score once again, and ultimately, the Longhorns secured the victory after an interception thrown by Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Dillingham’s second year at Arizona State has been noteworthy. The team achieved 11 wins, marking their first double-digit win season since 1996, and clinched the Big 12 title with a commanding 45-19 victory against Iowa State earlier this month. Running back Cam Skattebo stood out in Dillingham’s system, amassing 2,074 all-purpose yards and 22 total touchdowns. His outstanding performance earned him a fifth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Sanders has consistently expressed admiration for Dillingham and his squad, acknowledging their shared experiences as coaches who entered their respective positions around the same time. In support of fellow coach Matt Rhule from Nebraska, Sanders referred to this group of coaches as a “fraternity” and has shown a desire to see them succeed.
In a significant show of confidence, Arizona State has reportedly extended Dillingham’s contract for five more years, placing him among the highest-paid coaches in the Big 12.
This recognition not only highlights the progress made by Arizona State under Dillingham’s leadership but also emphasizes the strong camaraderie and respect among the coaches in the conference, setting a positive tone for the future of college football in the Big 12.
Overall, even in the face of a tough loss, the achievements of Dillingham and the Sun Devils reflect resilience and potential for further growth in upcoming seasons.