College football has shifted in major ways over the last decade, from the College Football Playoff expansion to the implementation of the Name, Image, and Likeness policy, which allows players to be paid.
The transfer portal has turned the sport into a mini NFL in terms of free agency, with star players leaving schools at a rapid rate, looking to go to the highest bidder or program that can get them to the NFL.
While some coaches like to pretend things haven’t changed or that money doesn’t rule the sport, Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham is not one of them.
He knows that a program needs cash infusions from donors to challenge for a national title, and he isn’t afraid to say it.
“We need to find one of these really rich people in this city to step up and stroke a check,” Dilingham stated following the announcement that he had re-signed with the Sun Devils amid rumors he could be leaving for the open seat at Michigan. “We live in Phoenix, Arizona. You’re telling me there’s not one person who could stroke a $20 million check right now?”
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When questioned about his interest in the Wolverines’ job and how close he got to leaving, Dillingham rebuked the rumors. He did add, though, that he would like to see Arizona State reach a similar level of financial freedom as Michigan has for its football program.
“For me, I never got offered the job,” he said. “None of that ever got to that point, but it’s an awesome place with unlimited resources. Somebody is going to get an unbelievable opportunity to take over one of the best rosters in the country.”
Dillingham and the Sun Devils will now travel to Texas while waiting for that $20 million check, as they face off with ACC champion Duke in the Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
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