Kenny Dillingham could’ve shut it all down with one sentence. The Michigan rumors have been flying for over a week now, and with Arizona State trying to hammer out a new deal to keep him around, it would’ve been easy to grab a mic and say, “I’m not going anywhere.” But he didn’t.
Instead, when asked if he planned to put the speculation to bed, Dillingham dropped a quote that was way more calculated. “I think my job is to do whatever I can for the people who are with me. The people in the foxhole, the coaches in the foxhole with me,” he said. “I got to do whatever I can to fight for those people, for my family, for everything from that perspective. I love it here. I’ve said that since day one. That’s absolutely never changing.”
Cool. But that’s not a no. And On3’s Ari Wasserman called it like it is. If you’re Michigan, that answer’s a green light. It’s not a guarantee that he’s leaving, but it’s absolutely not a promise that he’s staying either. It’s just enough to keep everyone on the hook, and that’s probably the point.
Dillingham’s been tied to Michigan for a reason. He’s young, aggressive, has recruiting juice, and has sparked a new culture in Tempe. Michigan isn’t a job you just flat-out ignore, and Dillingham’s answer shows he knows how the game works. He didn’t close the door. He left it cracked just enough to keep leverage for both sides, whether that’s for more money, more NIL support, or raises for his coaching staff.
Meanwhile, Arizona State fans are getting restless. Sam Leavitt just hit the portal, which doesn’t help ease the nerves in Tempe. And now, you’ve got your head coach playing things right down the middle. He’s saying all the things that sound loyal, but he’s also making sure the big offers can still roll in without looking like he’s job hunting.
On3’s take was pretty simple: Dillingham’s playing it perfectly. He’s got ASU trying to sweeten his deal, Michigan watching closely, and enough wiggle room to do what he wants when the time comes. It might drive fans crazy, but in today’s college football? That’s just smart business.
