‘We Believe We Can Compete With Anyone’: Kenny Dillingham Talks Bold Mindset and Sky-High Confidence as Arizona State Sun Devils Prepare for 2025 Season
As the 2025 college football season draws closer, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham is making one thing clear: the Sun Devils are done playing small. Entering his third year at the helm, Dillingham is bringing a bold mindset and a deep sense of belief to a program that’s hungry to rise in the ranks of the Big 12.
“We believe we can compete with anyone,” Dillingham said during a recent press conference. “That’s not just talk — it’s the way we approach every practice, every rep, every game plan. It’s our identity now.”
That confidence is not without foundation. Though the 2024 season was marked by growing pains, including injuries and a young roster still adjusting to Dillingham’s system, the flashes of potential were undeniable. The team closed out the year with strong performances against conference rivals, and a talented core returns for 2025 — one that Dillingham believes has matured into a unit capable of contending on any stage.
“There’s a difference between hoping to win and expecting to win,” he explained. “We’re past the phase of building. We’re here to compete.”
Key returners on both sides of the ball add to that optimism. Sophomore quarterback Jaden Rashada, now healthy and more experienced, is expected to lead an offense that will be fast-paced and aggressive. On defense, the Sun Devils have reloaded through both recruiting and the transfer portal, with an emphasis on speed and physicality — trademarks of Dillingham’s coaching philosophy.
But it’s not just about talent. Dillingham emphasized that the cultural shift within the program is what excites him the most. “We’re building a team that’s tough, accountable, and relentless. That doesn’t show up on recruiting sites — it shows up on Saturdays.”
With a challenging Big 12 schedule ahead, the Sun Devils will have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves. But Dillingham isn’t shying away from that. In fact, he welcomes the spotlight.
“This team isn’t intimidated by anybody,” he said. “We respect everyone, but we fear no one. That’s how we’re wired now.”
As Arizona State prepares to open fall camp, one thing is certain: the swagger is back in Tempe — and Kenny Dillingham believes it’s only the beginning.
