Kenny Dillingham Explained

Kenny Dillingham (born April 28, 1990) is an American football coach who is currently the head football coach at Arizona State University. He previously served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Oregon, Florida State University, Auburn University and the University of Memphis.

Coaching career

Early coaching career

Dillingham began his coaching career at 17 years old, after he tore his ACL during his senior year.^[1] He started off working with the junior varsity team at Chaparral High School before being promoted to the offensive coordinator of the varsity team at 21 years old.^[2] While he was coaching at Chaparral, he went to Arizona State University, graduating in 2012 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. He was hired to be an offensive assistant at Arizona State in 2014 under offensive coordinator Mike Norvell, whom he had met while coaching at Chaparral.

Memphis

After Norvell was hired to be the head coach at Memphis in 2016, Dillingham was hired as a graduate assistant for the Tigers.^[3] Dillingham spent the 2016 season as the de facto quarterbacks coach, since the team did not have an official quarterbacks coach. After Tigers offensive coordinator Chip Long left to be the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Dillingham was named the official quarterbacks coach for Memphis and added tight ends coach to his duties for 2017. After Long's successor Darrell Dickey left for Texas A&M, Dillingham was promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2018 season. In 2017-2018 Memphis had back to back top 5 offenses in college football. While at Memphis Dillingham was rated the #1 recruiter in conference by the 247 recruiter rankings.^[4]

Auburn

Dillingham was hired by Gus Malzahn to be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Auburn in 2019, replacing Chip Lindsey. ^{[5] [6]} During his time at Auburn he helped Bo Nix become the SEC Rookie of the Year while leading the most improved offense in the SEC. He spent one season with the Tigers, where they recorded a 9-3 record averaging 33.2 points per game.^[7] Auburn also had its highest recruiting ranking in the 247 recruiting ranking era during Dillingham’s year as OC.

Florida State

After Norvell left Memphis to be the next head coach at Florida State, Dillingham departed Auburn to join Florida State as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, replacing Kendal Briles.^{[8] [9] [10]}

Oregon

On December 17, 2021, Dillingham was hired as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Oregon under head coach Dan Lanning.^[11]

Arizona State

On November 27, 2022, Dillingham was named the 26th head coach at Arizona State University, replacing Herm Edwards.^[12] He is the first Sun Devil alumnus and native Arizonan to hold this position.

Personal life

Dillingham and his wife, Briana, have one child.

He has wanted to coach Arizona State since he was young as it’s his hometown team.^[13]

External links

• Arizona State profile
• Florida State profile

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sonnone . Brendan . December 16, 2019 . FSU OC Kenny Dillingham on the 'offense built for playmakers' . June 10, 2020 . Noles247 . en-US.
2. Web site: Vitale . Josh . December 11, 2018 . Who is Kenny Dillingham? A few things to know about Auburn's new offensive coordinator . June 10, 2020 . The Montgomery Advertiser . en.
3. Web site: DeGroff . Tammy . February 17, 2016 . Norvell Adds Two to Staff . June 10, 2020 . University of Memphis Athletics . en.
4. Web site: January 3, 2018 . Norvell Announces Staff Additions and Promotions . June 10, 2020 . University of Memphis Athletics . en.
5. Web site: Goldberg. Rob. December 9, 2018. Auburn Reportedly Hires Memphis' Kenny Dillingham as Offensive Coordinator. June 9, 2020. Bleacher Report.
6. Web site: Blum . Sam . December 10, 2018 . Auburn hires Memphis’ Dillingham as OC/QB coach . January 4, 2024 . AL.com . en.
7. Web site: 2019 Football Cumulative Statistics . October 10, 2022 . Auburn University Athletics . en.
8. Web site: Green . Tom . December 9, 2019 . Source: OC Kenny Dillingham leaving Auburn for FSU . June 10, 2020 . AL.com . en.
9. Web site: Taylor. John. December 11, 2019. Ex-Auburn OC Kenny Dillingham officially hired at Florida State. June 10, 2020. CollegeFootballTalk NBC Sports. en-US.
10. Web site: Weiler . Curt . December 9, 2019 . Auburn offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham joining FSU staff . June 10, 2020 . Tallahassee Democrat . en.
11. Web site: Krueger . Nate . December 17, 2021 . Lanning hires Kenny Dillingham as Offensive Coordinator . December 22, 2021 . Oregon Ducks.
12. Web site: Bradley . Cole . Kenny Dillingham career breakdown: an in-depth look at ASU's new head coach . 247Sports . 2022-11-28 . 2024-08-07.
13. Web site: Arizona State Head Football Coach Kenny Dillingham Introductory Press Conference . 2024-11-26 . Arizona State University Athletics . en.