Kenny Dillingham Talks Arizona State’s New Role as Favorites
The Arizona State Sun Devils are shifting from underdogs to favorites heading into the 2025 season.
After a rough 3-9 finish in their final season as part of the Pac-12, the program made a remarkable turnaround, finishing 11-3 and claiming the Big 12 championship in their inaugural year in the conference.
As they prepare for the upcoming season, Arizona State is expected to be among the favorites to defend their title, with a potential spot in the top 15 of the AP preseason poll.
Head coach Kenny Dillingham, now in his third year, is fully aware of the increased expectations his team faces. In fact, he shared his preference for being in the underdog role during the Big 12 spring meetings in Orlando.
As Dillingham explained to ESPN’s Andrea Adelson:
“It’s naturally motivating for people to say, ‘You suck,’ and it’s way more difficult for people to say, ‘You’re good.’ I’m not one who enjoys the limelight or hearing praise. So, to me, that’s more uncomfortable. I’d much rather be an underdog.”
Last year, the Sun Devils embraced their underdog status, starting strong with two dominant wins before narrowly escaping with a victory over Texas State. Though they faced setbacks against Texas Tech and Cincinnati, Arizona State rebounded and made history by earning their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
Dillingham continued, “I want to be someone people count out. So, having all this positive praise is definitely uncomfortable. I’d prefer it to be about the players, with me just focusing on keeping them grounded and helping them be the best versions of themselves.”
As the season draws closer, Dillingham remains focused on the task at hand—developing his team, particularly quarterback Sam Leavitt, who is entering his second season as the starter and has shed the “underdog” label himself. For Dillingham, navigating his team’s growth and maintaining focus is far more important than any media attention.
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