Mr. Brightside: the breath of fresh air that Sun Devil football so badly needed

Kenny Dillingham faces a multitude of challenges as the new head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils football team.

His program is still under NCAA sanctions from the violations that occurred during Herm Edwards’ tenure, which include a four-year probation, scholarship reductions, and recruiting restrictions. Additionally, ASU, having left the Pac-12, is currently ranked second to last among conference teams in recruitment spending for men’s sports, according to the latest U.S. Department of Education’s Equity in Athletics database. A preseason media poll in the Big 12 has predicted the Sun Devils will finish last in the 16-team conference.

The 2024 schedule includes six road games, two non-conference opponents who combined for 17 wins and two bowl victories last season, and an SEC opponent in Mississippi State. The Big 12 schedule features five opponents ranked in the preseason polls (No. 12 Utah, No. 17 Oklahoma State, No. 18 Kansas State, No. 21 Arizona, and No. 22 Kansas), with three of those games on the road.

With only three players remaining from the 2022 team—one of whom, graduate defensive lineman Anthonie Cooper, is out for the season with an ACL injury—there are significant questions surrounding quarterback, offensive tackle positions, and the punting and kicking games.

Despite these hurdles, Dillingham maintains a forward-looking perspective. “I don’t think about things like that anyway,” Dillingham said after a recent scrimmage. “I just think about the situation we’re in and whatever situation you’re in, it is what it is, so let’s go!”

That’s Dillingham in a nutshell. He is Mr. Brightside; the breath of fresh air that Sun Devil football so badly needed to emerge from one of the darkest periods in the program’s history.

When Dillingham took over for Edwards last season, the school had recently joined the Big 12, was facing imminent NCAA sanctions, and was entangled in the latest developments of the Jaden Rashada saga. The Sun Devils had challenging games against USC, Oregon, and Washington, and nearly 30 players had transferred out of the program. Additionally, athletic director Ray Anderson faced intense pressure to resign, which he ultimately did in November.

Given these circumstances, ASU’s 3-9 record was expected.

“I knew what I was getting into when I arrived, so what excuses can I make?” Dillingham questioned. “We have a plan to elevate this program to a consistent championship contender in the Big 12. We’re on the path to that goal. It might not happen as quickly as people hope, but the key is to ignore the immediate demands of a ‘microwave society.’

“Screw the microwave society. Focus on what you know works and what you’ve seen succeed in similar rebuilds, like the one I was part of at Florida State. Stay focused on what matters, not the external noise.”

Dillingham is an easy coach to support; a local who began his coaching career at his alma mater after an ACL tear during his senior year at Scottsdale Chaparral High School. He worked his way up the college ranks, starting as an offensive assistant at ASU (2014-15), then as a GA, QBs and tight ends coach, and later as offensive coordinator under former ASU OC Mike Norvell at Memphis, and then as OC at Florida State, Auburn, and Oregon.

“When I was starting out in this profession, I was told I’d never coach college football,” he said. “I was told, ‘You didn’t play. You have no connections. It’s not going to happen.’ I replied, ‘Well, I am going to coach college football and achieve my goals.’

“I used to walk around this facility (then Sun Devil Stadium) as a GA, and when people asked how I was doing, I’d say, ‘Living the dream.’ They’d reply, ‘No, you’re not. You’re a graduate assistant. You’re not living the dream.’ I always thought that mindset was flawed. If you’re in college football, you are living the dream, and that attitude makes me more committed than others.

“If you don’t have that mindset, I’m going to surpass you. I don’t care if you’re the position coach right now. I will surpass you because I’m going to show up every day with the attitude that I’m living the dream and blessed to be here. You can’t let the mundane tasks and challenges of the job distract you. Do your job to the best of your ability, maintain that outlook, and you’ll reach your goals, even if it takes time.”