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Sam Leavitt Crowns Kenny Dillingham The G.O.A.T. After Coach’s Major Achievement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Beren | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 6:31 PM ET

A lot has changed for Arizona State's football program in the past year. Picked to finish last in the Big 12 in 2024, the Sun Devils instead won the conference in their first year following a move from the Pac-12 — and Kenny Dillingham's men reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history.

Now, the Sun Devils enter 2025 as one of the nation's top teams. As he begins his third year on the job, Dillingham has signed a long-term contract extension to continue building the ASU program into what national observers have long suggested it could become: an annual title contender.

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For his work in leading the Sun Devils to an 11-3 record and a final AP Poll ranking of No. 7, Dillingham on Tuesday was named Frank Kush Coach of the Year. The honor, voted on by each of the 26 head coaches that comprise Arizona State athletics, is named for the school's winningest football coach — and this is the first time that the football program's coach has won the award since it was introduced in 2018.

Beyond Dillingham's coaching, star players helped Arizona State emerge as a powerhouse in 2024. One of those players, running back Cam Skattebo, is now in the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the New York Giants. Another, quarterback Sam Leavitt, is returning for 2025 — and he took time out on Tuesday to congratulate Dillingham on the achievement, calling him "the GOAT" on his Instagram story.

Leavitt is a possible Heisman Trophy candidate this coming season, and he will be looked to as the Sun Devils' leader on the field. Only time will tell whether Dillingham's new offense, constructed around Leavitt's rocket arm, will portend even greater success for Arizona State in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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