The Michigan Wolverines have decided to part ways with head coach Sherrone Moore, leading to speculation about potential candidates to fill the vacancy. Among those being considered is Kenny Dillingham, the 35-year-old head coach of Arizona State, who has demonstrated a knack for turning around struggling programs.
Dillingham took the reins at Arizona State during a challenging time marked by impending sanctions from the previous coaching regime. In his debut season, ASU finished 3-9, but he quickly made waves by orchestrating an impressive turnaround the following year, leading the Sun Devils to an 11-3 record in their inaugural season in the Big 12. His accomplishments have not gone unnoticed; he was a runner-up for the AP Coach of the Year award in 2024, and his overall coaching record stands at 22-16, including a strong 8-4 performance this season.
One of the critical challenges facing Michigan has been its underwhelming passing offense, which ranked 105th nationally this season and a disappointing 130th last year. Therefore, the Wolverines will likely seek an offensive-minded coach with a proven ability to develop quarterbacks and call plays, traits that Dillingham unequivocally possesses.
Dillingham’s coaching pedigree includes a notable stint as Auburn’s offensive coordinator, where he guided Bo Nix to SEC Freshman of the Year honors, helping the team average a remarkable 33.3 points per game. His second collaboration with Nix at Oregon in 2022 yielded even greater success, as the team finished the season ranked second in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play, with Nix throwing for over 3,500 yards and 29 touchdowns.
At Arizona State, Dillingham has also effectively developed quarterback Sam Leavitt, a dual-threat player who transferred from Michigan State. Despite an injury that cut his 2024 season short, Leavitt’s contributions included throwing for 24 touchdowns and rushing for five scores, playing a crucial role in the Sun Devils’ College Football Playoff berth.
In addition to his success with quarterbacks, Dillingham values a balanced offensive approach, exemplified by his work with running back Cam Skattebo, who had a standout 2024 season with over 1,700 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Dillingham’s history of blending effective rushing and passing strategies bodes well for any program he leads.
Prior to his tenure at Arizona State, Dillingham showcased his offensive acumen by coordinating a record-setting Memphis team in 2018, which accumulated over 7,300 yards of total offense and dominated the nation in several offensive categories.
Equally impressive are Dillingham’s recruiting abilities, which have garnered attention from sports analysts. According to Rivals, he has the personality and skills to thrive at Michigan, with the program’s resources enhancing his capacity to attract top-level talent.
As the Wolverines search for a new head coach, Dillingham’s track record presents a compelling case for why he could be the transformative figure Michigan needs to bolster its offense and competitive standing in college football.