TEMPE — Arizona State’s Kenny Dilligham responded to backlash from angry Mississippi State fans over remarks the ASU head coach made about the housing logistics in Starkville.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham holds up his hands after a made PAT against NAU at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Aug. 30, 2025. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
ASU’s head coach spoke to the media on Monday about the challenges of playing in smaller cities, noting the impact it can have on players. Dillingham said ASU often has to stay farther from visiting stadiums and face difficulties managing meals.
“We stay about an hour and 15 minutes away from the stadium this week because that’s the nearest hotel that’s not a casino,” he said, according to Cronkite Sports’ Max Zepeda. “… Some of the smaller towns, it’s harder to feed 160 guys, so we’re just trying to adapt.”
ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham speaks to the media after the team held its first day of practice at Camp Tontozona on Aug. 6, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The comments didn’t sit well with some MSU fans, calling out the ASU head coach ahead of Saturday’s game.
This guy is trying to be funny or has a bad travel/planning team. They’re about to be shocked come Saturday night. I’m so ready for this game https://t.co/WPbPROFj2u
— Matt (@mSwords97) September 1, 2025
There is not a casino in Starkville. There are however many hotels.
This is just the same old same old. Bashing our state by acting like our towns and cities are horrible places to stay. People who actually come here and stay realize that’s not the case. https://t.co/fM4Y50fCea
— Sip Central (@sip_central) September 2, 2025
That’s not true @KennyDillingham. Stop lying on us Kenny.
— Brandon Walker (@BFW) September 1, 2025
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham watches his linemen run a drill during the first day of fall practice in Tempe, Ariz., on July 30, 2025. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The ASU head coach addressed the online backlash on Arizona Sports on Friday morning, clarifying the true meaning of his comments. He said it was easy to misinterpret his remarks if people only listened to a portion of what he said without the context of the question he was answering.
“I’m not one to demean or bring people down,” Dillingham said to Arizona Sports’ Dan Bickley and Vince Marotta. “That’s not my M.O., I’m not about that.”
While he was surprised at the backlash over his comments, Dillingham cleared the air before Saturday’s pivotal game against MSU.
Kenny Dillingham loves context! His answer about Arizona State visiting smaller towns angered Mississippi State fans.
“I’m not one to demean or bring people down,” he told @Bickley_Marotta. “That’s not my M.O., I’m not about that.” pic.twitter.com/RseAP4PwbF
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) September 5, 2025
Arizona State faces Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 4:30 p.m.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Arizona State draws response from Mississippi State after practice video surfaces
