5 reasons Michigan should hire Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham

The Michigan Wolverines fired head coach Sherrone Moore on Wednesday night. There have already been numerous coaches mentioned as potential options for the vacancy. One of the names who should be under consideration is Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham.

Can turn a program around fast

Dillingham took over for an Arizona State team facing sanctions and penalties in the aftermath of the Herm Edwards era. ASU went 3-9 in Dillingham’s first season but went 11-3 in ‘24, the Sun Devils first season in the Big 12. Dillingham was runner-up for the AP Coach of the Year in ‘24. In all, Dillingham is 22-16 with Arizona State and 8-4 this season.

Success with Bo Nix and Sam Leavitt

Michigan’s passing offense has been subpar two years in a row, ranking No. 105 this season and No. 130 in 2024. Michigan should not only prioritize an offensive minded coach, but a coach that has the ability to call plays and develop a quarterback. Dillingham checks these boxes.

• Dillingham was hired as Auburn’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2019 and actually replaced Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who was Auburn’s OC the prior season. Dillingham was credited with helping Bo Nix win SEC Freshman of the Year. Auburn’s offense averaged 33.3 points per game.
• Dillingham reunited with Bo Nix at Oregon in 2022, which another stellar season for Nix and the entire offensive operation. Oregon ranked No. 2 EPA per play (.314) and No. 1 in EPA per rush (.306) during the regular season. Nix threw for 3,593 yards that season with 29 passing touchdown and seven interceptions with a 71.9 completion rate while also rushing for 510 yards and 14 rushing scores.
• Dillingham got the best out of Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, who transferred to ASU from Michigan State. Leavitt is an exciting dual threat player that has a knack for clutch moments and was a major reason why the Sun Devils made the College Football Playoff in ‘24, throwing for 24 touchdowns, six interceptions and rushing for 443 yards and five scores. Leavitt was in the midst of yet another solid campaign this season (10 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, 306 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns) but suffered a season-ending foot injury.

Knows when to lean on a great running back (Cam Skattebo)

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo received national intrigue during the 2024 season, producing many bruising runs and even a few memorable catches. Skattebo 1,711 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns along with 45 receptions for 605 yards and three scores. It’s important to be balanced in football and know what your strengths are a given year — Dillingham had an excellent mix of run and pass en route to the ‘24 College Football Playoff.

Major offensive accomplishments at Memphis

In 2018, Dillingham coordinated a Memphis offense that broke program records with 7,324 yards of total offense and 3,919 rushing yards. Memphis ranked No. 4 in the nation with 279.9 yards per game, No. 2 in rushing touchdowns with 48 touchdowns.

Relentless recruiter

Rivals posted a piece about Dillingham on Thursday evening, highlighting his strengths as a recruiter and how that would be great for Michigan.

Steve Wiltfong says that Dillingham “would absolutely crush it at Michigan with his personality and the resources that the school has to help recruit top level prospects.”

“There’s not many better in the sport that connect with players and recruits better than Kenny Dillingham,” Wiltfong said. “People enjoy being around him. He’s a great leader. He’s done a fantastic job at Arizona State, and I think, if he was at Michigan, he could win a national championship.”