Why Promising Young College Football Coach Turned Down Michigan

After Kenny Dillingham finished his time as head coach at Michigan, he became one of the top college football coaches on the market. Dillingham guided Arizona State to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff appearance during his second year with the team. The Sun Devils posted an 11-3 record in 2024, a remarkable improvement from their 3-9 mark in 2023.

When ASU finished 8-5 in 2025, Dillingham became a highly sought-after coach in the coaching carousel that year. In an interview with Dan Wolken of Yahoo Sports, Dillingham acknowledged that turning down Michigan meant he may not have another chance to coach at a prestigious institution. Still, he decided to stay at ASU, where he earned his degree, as he was content with his current situation.

Dillingham expressed that he doesn't care about being at a blue blood school. What matters most to him is coaching football and being happy. Ultimately, Dillingham believed that not everyone who wins championships is the most talked-about coach. He felt that he had something great going at ASU and didn't want to disrupt it. With Dillingham no longer an option, Michigan hired Kyle Whittingham, who served as the head coach at Utah from 2005 to 2025.

Whittingham had a 177-88 record during his tenure with the Utes. Like Dillingham, he also turned down opportunities to coach more prestigious programs earlier in his career. This move could benefit both programs; Dillingham can continue to develop ASU into an annual contender in the Big 12, while Whittingham brings experience to lead Michigan to a possible College Football Playoff appearance.