Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham Tops Big 12 Coach Rankings in Preseason Poll
The 2025 college football season is rapidly approaching, and the Arizona State Sun Devils are poised to build on their highly successful 2024 campaign. A significant factor in the team’s optimistic outlook is head coach Kenny Dillingham. At just 35 years old, Dillingham has already made a considerable impact, earning both admiration and respect within the college football landscape. His impressive 2024 season has firmly established him among the nation’s elite coaches.
A recent preseason poll ranks Big 12 coaches, placing Dillingham at the top. The rankings, presented in descending order, offer a glimpse into the anticipated coaching dynamics for the upcoming season:
1. Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State
2. Kyle Whittingham, Utah
3. Kalani Sitake, Brigham Young
4. Chris Klieman, Kansas State
5. Matt Campbell, Iowa State
6. Lance Leipold, Kansas
7. Deion Sanders, Colorado
8. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
9. Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
10. Sonny Dykes, TCU
11. Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia
12. Dave Aranda, Baylor
13. Scott Frost, UCF
14. Willie Fritz, Houston
15. Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati
16. Brent Brennan, Arizona
The lower-ranked coaches find themselves in their positions due to various factors, including team rebuilding phases, coaching hot seats, or a combination of these and other external pressures. The rankings become truly competitive starting with Dave Aranda at number 12. Aranda’s tenure at Baylor has been marked by a mix of outstanding and less impressive seasons.
The top tier of coaches begins at number six with Lance Leipold. His success in revitalizing the Kansas football program is commendable, though a less successful 2024 season has slightly lowered his ranking. Coaches like Campbell, Klieman, and Sitake represent a similar trajectory, experiencing both highs and lows throughout their careers, yet consistently remaining among the nation’s best.
Kyle Whittingham’s consistent performance at Utah, despite a setback in 2024, highlights his impressive track record. His ability to maintain a high level of success following Urban Meyer’s departure is noteworthy.
While Kenny Dillingham’s coaching career is relatively short, his approach and the positive changes within the Arizona State program suggest a sustainable foundation for future success. His top ranking reflects this promising trajectory and the high expectations surrounding the Sun Devils in the upcoming season.
