ASU's head coach, Kenny Dillingham, expresses his belief that Arizona State University could soon join the ranks of Clemson and Oregon as elite football powerhouses.
Bold New Blood in the College Football Scene: The Rising Arizona State Sun Devils
College football boasts its share of age-old powerhouses – Alabama, Michigan, USC and Notre Dame, to name a few. But then there are the newcomers, the programs that have burst onto the scene in recent years, challenging the established order. These include the Oregon Ducks and the Clemson Tigers, teams that have dominated the sports landscape, winning championships, making playoff appearances, and consistently ranking among the top teams in the country.
So, what's next? Well, Kenny Dillingham, head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils, believes his team is ready to make that leap.
ASU: The Future Blue Blood?
Recently, On3.com sat down with Dillingham, and he was unequivocal in his belief that the Sun Devils could be the next program to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the established powerhouses.
"You can build something very special here," Dillingham declared to Steve Wiltfong. "Every 10 years, a team shows up on the map, and they're a blue-blood to the next generation. They might not be a blue-blood to us older folks, but they're a blue-blood to the 10-year-olds, the 11-year-olds, and the 12-year-olds who you're eventually going to recruit."
Dillingham acknowledges them skepticism, but he's quick to point out that it was easy to dismiss programs like Oregon and Clemson when their runs first started. With a few years of success, the ball starts to roll, and that's what Dillingham is aiming for.
The Sun Devils, in their first year in the Big 12, demonstrated their potential, winning the conference in a dominant display against Iowa State in Arlington. They even had the Texas Longhorns beat, until the referees stepped in. Suddenly, ASU went from a 50-60th ranked recruiting class to #19, per On3, for the 2026 season. And that's just the beginning.
A Visionary Leader at the Helm
At the heart of Arizona State's aspirations is Dillingham himself. One of the youngest head coaches in college football, Dillingham is a former offensive coordinator at Oregon and a Sun Devils alumnus. His motivations and understanding of the local landscape provide a solid foundation for steering the program towards greatness.
Dillingham also values consistency within the coaching staff, recognizing it as vital for long-term player development and program identity.
Recruiting and Youth Development
Dillingham sees every decade or so giving birth to a new blue blood, recognized by younger generations who grow up witnessing the program's success. By fostering a winning culture early, Arizona State can captivate the attention of top recruits as they mature, making the team more attractive to elite talent.
Additionally, Dillingham's local ties could be a powerful selling point when it comes to recruiting within the Phoenix area.
Conference Affiliation and Resources
Being part of a major conference grants Arizona State access to resources, revenue, and visibility that are essential for long-term success. Moreover, consistently competing for conference championships increases the probability of high-profile wins and playoff consideration.
Building a Unique Identity
Ultimately, the Arizona State Sun Devils' journey to becoming a dominant force in college football will depend on Dillingham's ability to create a distinctive brand and culture that resonates with both recruits and fans. Maintaining continuity in both coaching and player personnel is vital for achieving sustained excellence.
In the words of Dillingham, "You have to build something very, very unique here. You can't just take what other people have done and copy it. You have to create something that's your own." The next few years may very well see the Azure and Gold blazing a trail of their own, leaving a lasting mark on college football.
"The Sun Devils, under head coach Kenny Dillingham, are aiming to emulate the success of programs like Oregon and Clemson, infiltrating the ranks of college football's top teams."
"With their first year in the Big 12 yielding promising results, Kenny Dillingham envisions Arizona State developing a unique identity that will captivate young recruits and establish them as a new blue blood in the sports landscape, just like the Oregon Ducks and the Clemson Tigers."
