Reports emerged on Saturday almost immediately after Oregon’s game against Oregon State concluded that Arizona State was finalizing a deal to hire Ducks offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham as the program’s next head coach.

The Sun Devils officially announced that move Sunday morning.

“We are proud to announce Kenny Dillingham as our new head football coach. He brings the energy, knowledge, and appreciation of our state and university that is valued by all of us,” said ASU athletic director Ray Anderson in a statement.  “His knowledge of the current college football landscape, learned by coaching across the nation, is needed and wanted at ASU. He will care at the highest level about our state, our alumni, our former players, and every single group that is important to help us win. We look forward to working with him and all Sun Devils in making his staff successful and helping our program reach our goals.”

Dillingham is a departure as a coaching candidate for ASU. He’s believed to be the first Arizona State graduate to serve as head coach of the football program. He becomes the youngest FBS head coach at just 32 years old. But the résumé is impressive and the knowledge of Arizona’s football scene is extensive.

“Kenny Dillingham knows what it takes to be an elite program, and he has enjoyed success each time he joined a program,” added President Crow, “His offenses are dynamic, and he understands recruiting, the importance of NIL, and the need to connect with Sun Devils past and present. We are committed to athletic success, and Sun Devil Football is an important part of the success of the university. We are excited to welcome Kenny home.”

Dillingham is a Valley native raised in Scottsdale. He graduated from ASU in 2013 and then got his first FBS coaching job on Todd Graham’s staff in 2014.

He began his coaching career after he tore his ACL during his senior year of high school (2007). He began working with the junior varsity team before being elevated to the offensive coordinator role on the varsity squad at just 21 years old. Dillingham coordinated the No. 1 offense in the state of Arizona in 2013 as the Firebirds won 12 games and advanced to the Division II state championship game.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be named the head coach at Arizona State University,” Dillingham said. “This is a special place to myself and my wife who is also a graduate. I truly believe the team we will build here is one that the state of Arizona and all Sun Devils can rally behind and be proud of as it will take everyone in the valley to help this program achieve the level of success it is due. I am excited to get to work and promise no one will work harder than the staff we will put together.”