

Kenny Dillingham’s journey to becoming Arizona State’s HC is nothing short of a dream realized. As a young graduate assistant in his early 20s, he didn’t hold back when ASU coach at that time, Todd Graham asked about his ambitions. “I want your job. I want to be the head coach at Arizona State,” declared Dillingham boldly. Now, at 35, he smiles at the memory, saying, “I just say what I believe in.” So, for Dillingham, this isn’t just a coaching gig, it’s the culmination of a lifelong love for Sun Devil football. A passion that shaped his childhood. But did you know who helped him carry that passion?
Who are Kenny Dillingham’s parents?
Well, Kenny Dillingham’s love for ASU football started at home, thanks to his parents, John and Gerry Dillingham. John moved to Arizona in 1980 and immediately fell in love with the Sun Devils. “One of the very first things I wanted to do was go to an ASU football game,” he recalled. “I got a standing-room ticket. I can’t remember who ASU played or who won, but I remember how great it was.” On the flip side, Gerry had been living here as a child. She shared that same passion, often organizing family trips to games and turning Sun Devil football into a household tradition.
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Together, they raised four kids surrounded by maroon and gold, with only Kenny’s older brother Kyle breaking ranks to attend ASU. A move Kenny jokingly said meant “he got lost.” But by the time Kenny was born in 1990, the Dillinghams were fixtures at Sun Devil Stadium. And his first game came in 1996, when ASU stunned No. 1 Nebraska 19-0. Although he was only six, he remembers the atmosphere: “My face was painted, I had a Jake Plummer jersey on, and I was eating nachos,” he said. And Gerry made sure game days felt special, planning “elite tailgates” with steaks, green chili burritos, hamburgers, and every side imaginable. Between the food, the cheers, and even wild parking-lot games of “Dodge Car,” Gerry and John built a foundation of love for ASU that would shape Kenny’s life, and eventually his coaching dreams.
Where did John and Gerry meet?
No one knows exactly where John and Gerry Dillingham’s story began, but what’s clear is the legacy they built together. They also share the same passion for Sun Devil football. And that passion didn’t just fill stadium seats. It shaped Kenny Dillingham’s heart, setting him on the path to one day lead the Sun Devils himself.
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What ethnicity are Kenny Dillingham’s parents?
There’s no verified information about the ethnic background of the parents of Kenny Dillingham. What is certain, however, is their deep Arizona roots and lifelong passion for ASU football. And it’s a love that helped shape Kenny’s journey and fueled his rise to become the HC of the program.
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Is family legacy the secret ingredient to Kenny Dillingham's rise as ASU's head coach?
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Inside Kenny Dillingham’s relationship with his parents
Kenny Dillingham’s connection with his parents has always been the heartbeat of his journey. His dad, John, fondly recalls their Sun Devil game days, including a moment of chaos. “Apparently unbeknownst to me, he almost got hit one time,” said John, laughing about the memory years later. But at home, the lessons went beyond football. “He’d say, ‘The Sun Devils kick a field goal, the Cardinals score a touchdown, and the Suns make a free throw… how many points is that?’ That’s literally how I learned math,” remembered Kenny. But that quick-thinking skill still amazes his wife Bri, who met him back in high school.
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Through it all, John and Gerry’s deep love for ASU football built a confidence that shaped Kenny’s dreams early on. Even back then, he boldly promised he’d one day lead ASU’s program. “College sports have a different level of passion… it feels special here,” he once said. And today, standing on the sidelines as ASU’s HC, his journey is proof of where that family bond and belief can lead to.
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"Is family legacy the secret ingredient to Kenny Dillingham's rise as ASU's head coach?"