From reviving a struggling program to doing meaningful acts, Kenny Dillingham is setting a new standard for what it means to lead. The head coach has breathed new life into the Arizona State Sun Devils, leading them to an impressive 9-2 record after back-to-back 3-9 seasons. Ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll—their best in a decade—they’re now contenders for a College Football Playoff spot. But it’s not just the wins that stand out. Dillingham’s genuine care for the football community goes beyond the scoreboard. And his Thanksgiving gesture is the latest reminder of his heart-first approach. Chris Karpman of 247Sports recently shared a story that highlights his dedication and willingness to go the extra mile.

A screenshot of Chris Karpman’s post was shared by Sports Illustrated on November 29. The caption read, “He gave the staffers his own bonus he earned 🤝🥹👏.” Donating his own money? Well, that’s next-level generosity. It’s awesome to see such a good soul leading a college football program. According to Karpman, Dillingham promised the employees a sizable incentive but did not reveal that it was his. Now you can see the kind of person that he is. Being a coach and leading a team is a challenging job as a whole, and being that upbeat leader is even more demanding. For those who do not know, Kenny Dillingham was given a $200,000 incentive for winning nine games, which he then gave to 20 Arizona State off-field employees, according to Karpman’s post.

It’s evident that ASU has a coach worth keeping on board, at least on the surface, irrespective of how the remainder of the season plays out. His choice to give the off-field employees a six-figure bonus truly won over the hearts of the CFB fans. The Thanksgiving gesture appears to be a prime example of sharing is caring. Get a preview of how fans are responding to this thus far.

The buzz about Kenny Dillingham’s decision

For those who are unaware, Kenny was unveiled as the new head football coach at ASU on November 27, 2022, 2 years ago. The Sun Devils had just finished a 3–9 season at the time. Players were leaving at an alarming rate, and the NIL scenario lagged far behind its conference peers. It’s just magic how the Sun Devils got to where they are now (9-2). Nobody anticipated it to happen so quickly. And now that he had earned $200k for his efforts, he just gave it to his employees. One word that supporters may use to describe such a gesture is “Respect.” A different admirer wrote, “Class personified. Need more people like this. ❤️.”

You can claim that your actions are motivated just by love when your own people appreciate you, but it is truly commendable when your entire fan base supports you regardless of your team or the people you work for. This is best illustrated by the present situation with ASU’s head coach. Kenny’s gesture made a Colorado fan’s heart melt, and he wrote, “Buffs fan but always liked and respected Kenny, good guy!” Another UCLA supporter said, “Wow! Coming from an old school PAC 10 UCLA fan. Respect 🫡 👏👏🔥🏈🍻.”

And there’s still a lot more to come. This season has been amazing for Kenny Dillingham and company. Under his direction, the team is on the verge of making it to the Big 12 title game and possibly the CFB playoffs. And the Sun Devils are living proof that anything can happen in college football this year. As one devoted fan put it, “He seems like a great dude, hopefully he turns that program into a perennial top 25 every year and doesn’t leave.” We hope that CFB coaches will set such an example in the future, but we must never lose sight of Kenny’s role as the wayfinder.