Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham has agreed to a five-year contract extension just before the Sun Devils’ College Football Playoff quarterfinal game, a source told The Associated Press.
Dillingham will receive a pay increase and significant bonuses, the source said Tuesday night, speaking anonymously because the deal has not been publicly announced.
ESPN first reported the contract extension.
The 34-year-old Dillingham has led one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent college football history, turning the No. 10 Sun Devils from a three-win team last year to a New Year’s Day Peach Bowl appearance against No. 4 Texas.
Dillingham has already earned substantial bonuses during Arizona State’s successful season, which included a Big 12 championship in the team’s first year in the league after being picked to finish last in the preseason poll.
The former Oregon offensive coordinator was the youngest head coach in FBS when he took over a struggling Arizona State program at 33 last year. The Sun Devils faced many injuries during his first season and were also dealing with an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations by former coach Herm Edwards.
The highly energetic Dillingham made key moves this season, leading the team to six straight wins and the CFP for the first time. Dillingham’s smart decision to recruit quarterback Sam Leavitt from the transfer portal — among other moves — and his full use of running back Cam Skattebo, who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting, played a big role in the team’s success.
