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The Michigan Wolverines' search for their next head coach just hit another roadblock. One of the top names linked to the vacancy, Arizona State University head coach Kenny Dillingham, is officially staying put after signing a lucrative new contract.
According to ESPN insider Pete Thamel, Dillingham's new deal with the Sun Devils will pay him $7.5 million per season, a figure that immediately removes him from Michigan's candidate pool.
With the Wolverines still hunting for a replacement, the program now turns its attention elsewhere as the coaching carousel continues to spin.
What Kenny Dillingham's new deal means for Michigan
Dillingham's contract doesn't only boost his salary-it signals a major investment in the entire Arizona State coaching staff. Per Thamel, the university is also raising the assistant salary pool to $11 million, giving the program additional resources to compete for top talent.
A $7.5 million yearly salary places Dillingham among college football's highest-paid coaches. He now sits between Oklahoma's Brent Venables ($7.6 million) and Florida's Billy Napier ($7.47 million), and becomes the second-highest paid coach in the Big 12, trailing only Colorado's Deion Sanders, who earns $8.98 million annually.
This development marks another setback for Michigan. As reported by the Associated Press, the university's search firm contacted representatives for Dillingham and Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz earlier this month. The Wolverines also reportedly remain focused on Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, with Thamel noting Michigan "remains convinced that they want to attempt to hire" the Crimson Tide leader.
However, DeBoer's stock rose even further after Alabama defeated Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff, making a departure from Tuscaloosa appear increasingly unlikely.
Why Dillingham staying at Arizona State was the right move
While Dillingham emerged as a strong coaching candidate nationally, his ties to Arizona State run deep.
- Born in Phoenix
- Graduate of ASU in 2013
- Served as an offensive assistant for Todd Graham beginning in 2014
Those connections made ASU confident it could retain him-even with high-profile overtures from Michigan.
Dillingham has posted a 22-16 record over three seasons and led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff berth in 2024, solidifying his rising coaching profile.
What's next for Michigan?
With another major target off the board, the Wolverines' ongoing coaching search becomes even more urgent. The program remains one of the most coveted jobs in college football, but top candidates are being locked into contracts quickly during this offseason cycle.
As Michigan fans wait for news, one thing is clear: Kenny Dillingham will not be leading the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. His long-term future belongs to Arizona State, at least for now.