Kenny Dillingham defines success for Arizona State this season

Arizona State moves over to the Big 12 this season, meaning the Sun Devils will have a whole host of new compeition to battle in 2024.

The hope is to improve on head coach Kenny Dillingham’s first season as head coach. In year one, Dillingham and company finished the 2023 season with a 3-9 record. Vegas has the Sun Devils’ win total at over/under 4.5 in 2024. Not focused on the numbers, however, the second-year headman explained what success will look like in his eyes this fall.

“This is a very cliché answer, but success in our program is being the very best you can be all the time at whatever you’re doing. That’s it. That’s all we want to do,” Dillingham said. “We want to get better. We want to grow every single day. There’s not a win total. There’s not a goal like that. It’s just be the very best we can be at everything we do.”

The offensive-minded Dillingham aquired talents like quarterback Jeff Sims, wideout Malik McClain and running back Alton McCaskill will all help bolster ASU’s offensive unit next season.

He’s put together an experienced group tasked with scoring in volumes for Dillingham in 2024 — so who wouldn’t want to play for a young coach that has a history of piecing together top offensive units? Being able to relate to players is a major aspect of his recruiting pitch.

After all, Dillingham, 34, was in their shoes not too long ago before a torn ACL ended his football career.

“Naturally my age, I kind of understand a little bit more what goes on in an 18-to-23-year-old’s mind, but at the same token, I was raised by a guy who went to the Naval Academy,” Dillingham continued.

“We’re going to be five minutes early everywhere we go, we’re going to treat people with respect. And I think at the end of the day, you have to instill a toughness in your team. And that’s what wins consistently in college football. And, yes, are there unique things that we may do that are a little bit different? Yeah, but the end game is we’re trying to get the same result.”

Arizona State’s 2024 regular season will begin against Wyoming on Aug. 31. However, their first test will come the following week when they host Jeff Lebby and Mississippi State at home during Week 2. Big 12 Conference action begins two weeks later with a road trip to Texas Tech on Sept. 21.