Kenny Dillingham addresses loyalty to Arizona State following recent opening at Michigan

Since leading Arizona State's resurgence last season into a College Football Playoff team and Big 12 champion, Kenny Dillingham is a name that seems to come up for every high profile coaching job in college football the past two cycles.

An Arizona native who began his college coaching career in Tempe, multiple reports earlier today state that he and the school are nearing a new contract as Dillingham has made it clear, time after time, that he loves coaching at Arizona State.

The Sun Devils pushed practice back a little over an hour earlier today, providing just the fodder needed to stoke the fires of speculation that have tried to link Kenny's name to the recent opening at Michigan.

The Wolverines fired head coach Sherrone Moore with cause earlier this week after an affair was discovered with his executive assistant that led to more disturbing details in the most recent scandal to rock Ann Arbor. Moore was arraigned yesterday on three charges, one of them a felony. Those hopeful the 35-year old would consider a move to take over an iconic Big Ten program are being wishful thinkers that Arizona's favorite son would leave to the 35-after a rapid rise in the coaching profession. Dillingham would bring proven abilities as a play caller at elite programs, and the ability to develop quarterbacks like Sam Leavitt, Bo Nix, and Jordan Travis with a blue-chip quarterback in Bryce Underwood prime to be developed at Michigan, who is in need of a steadying presence now more than ever.

While there were no shortage of rumors on the delay of practice in Tempe, and plenty of folks trying to connect the dots with the opening in Ann Arbor, Dillingham made it clear the change was to allow players to sleep in a bit, and for him to get in some basketball.

Once practice resumed, Kenny was asked about what makes Arizona State special to him and why he's so loyal, and he fought back emotions in trying to provide his answer.

Dillingham was also asked directly about the opening in Ann Arbor, and while he was complimentary about it being one of the best jobs in the country and one of the most storied programs in college football, but that doesn't change how he feels about his job in Tempe.

"Yeah, that's cool, I guess. That's one of the best programs in the country. That's one of the best logos in the country, I think everyone can agree there. In today's era, it's one of the best jobs in the country, but that doesn't change to how I feel about here."

"It doesn't change that my sister is my neighbor, or that my parents live three doors down. It doesn't change that my son's best friend is my sister's daughter. So none of that changes, but it is one of the best jobs in America, it's an iconic brand, and it will be a great opportunity for somebody."

Currently, Dillingham's deal calls for an automatic one-year extension through 2030 and a $200k raise next fall for hitting the eight-win mark. Chris Karpman notes that a new deal wouldn't add additional years, but would change some of the compensation structure and other key terms.

Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.