Pete Thamel delivers sobering NIL reality check for Kenny Dillingham & Arizona State

Kenny Dillingham has thrived during his tenure as Arizona State’s head coach. The Sun Devils’ head coach is the reigning SEC Coach of the Year. However, Dillingham and the rest of the Arizona State program will enter 2026 without their star quarterback.

College football insider Pete Thamel delivered a sobering NIL reality check for Dillingham and his troops.

“Kenny has limited resources and watches his players get siphoned by bigger schools. He developed Sam Leavitt into a possible first-round QB, and now Leavitt is leaving ASU because the school can’t afford to keep him.”

“Kenny wouldn’t face these barriers at Michigan.”

Sam Leavitt announced his intentions of entering the transfer portal on December 9 2025. It marked the end of his two-season spell with the Sun Devils.

The general consensus is that Sam Leavitt is leaving to earn more NIL money. He’s since been linked with the Oregon Ducks, Indiana Hoosiers, Miami Hurricanes and the LSU Tigers.

Kenny Dillingham linked with Michigan job

The Michigan Wolverines fired Sherrone Moore for cause on December 10, 2025. It leaves a gaping hole at the head coach position entering the 2026 season.

Kenny Dillingham has been one of the biggest names linked with the job. The reigning Big 12 Coach of the Year Award winner’s work with the Sun Devils has rightfully earned plaudits.

Furthermore, Sports Illustrated reports that Dillingham took advantage of his post-practice media availability on Tuesday to apply pressure on key Arizona State decision makers to commit more to the program. Kenny Dillingham was asked about the general roster turnover on a year-to-year basis, especially at the quarterback position.

Contract talks between Dillingham and Arizona State are expected in the coming weeks. The Sun Devils will look to keep their beloved head coach for the long haul. As for the Michigan Wolverines, they have a Citrus Bowl game against the Texas Longhorns to prepare for. They’ll then lock in on finding a full-time head coach who’ll continue the work done by Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore.