TEMPE — Despite publicly announcing his intention to stay at Arizona State in recent weeks, head coach Kenny Dillingham has emerged as the new favorite for LSU’s head football coach opening.
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Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham holds a news conference on Oct. 27, 2025, in Tempe. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
According to 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge, Dillingham is now considered likely to land the job, rising above other names mentioned, including Nick Saban and Joe Brady.
The Tigers have been in the national spotlight since firing Brian Kelly on Oct. 26 and evaluating candidates to replace him. While no offers have been publicly confirmed, Dillingham’s rapid rise at Arizona State has made him a popular target among college programs.
In 2024, he led ASU to a Big 12 championship in the program’s first year in the conference, finishing 11-3.
Sep 6, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Dillingham is in his third year at the helm and is one of the youngest head coaches in college football. However, his comments after the team’s victory over West Virginia underscored his desire to stay in the Valley and continue building with the Sun Devils.
“I just want to be able to push this place to its limit,” Dillingham said on Saturday, according to Sun Devil Source’s Chris Karpman. “… I know this university is behind us. They’re behind this program, they’re behind winning games… I was never leaving.”
Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham looks on against TCU Horned Frogs in the second half at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images
Some ASU fans have been skeptical of the odds report, saying they do not believe Dillingham would leave.
“Dude has stated so many times he’s not going anywhere,” X user Chaz Michael Michaels writes. “And he’s the guy with integrity that I actually believe. He also is an ASU alum. He’s not going anywhere so why do people make these dumb*** odds?”
“Why Dilly?” X user Jamie Thornhil writes. “He is the one that has said he isn’t going anywhere and his odds [go] up, and the HC that has his family visit BR and his odds stays the same. So weird.”
I asked Kenny Dillingham about how well-supported he feels from ASU. His response was emphatic.
“I was never leaving.” pic.twitter.com/eI1ADCbYfS
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) November 15, 2025
LSU’s search continues, but Dillingham has not fallen out of head-coaching discussions, even after repeatedly saying he plans to stay at Arizona State.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
