Arizona State made a strategic decision by hiring the youngest head coach in a Power Five conference, Kenny Dillingham. Despite his solid background as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator, Dillingham had no prior head coaching experience. In the past, his youth and lack of head coaching experience might have been barriers to his hiring, but perceptions have changed.
Jim Livengood, former athletic director at Arizona and Washington State, noted that hiring younger coaches is no longer seen as a disadvantage. “What seemed young 10 years ago isn’t considered young today due to extensive experience,” Livengood said.
The Pac-12 introduced three new football coaches this season. Stanford’s Troy Taylor appeared to be the safest choice, with a history of successful roles at Washington State, Utah, and Sacramento State, leading the latter to a 12-1 record last season. In contrast, Dillingham and Colorado’s Deion Sanders were seen as riskier hires.
Sanders, a football Hall of Famer, started his coaching career in high school and led Jackson State to a 27-6 record over three seasons. Despite doubts, Sanders has turned Colorado into a focal point of college football with wins over TCU and Nebraska.
Dillingham was hired to revive Arizona State after the unsuccessful tenure of Herm Edwards. At 32, he became the youngest coach in the Power Five, with a resume that includes roles at Auburn, Florida State, and Oregon, where he led a top offense.
Livengood emphasized that youth is no longer a significant factor in hiring coaches. Success depends on finding the right fit at the right time. Dillingham brought discipline and excitement to Arizona State, though early results have been mixed, with a narrow win over Southern Utah and a loss to Oklahoma State. Dillingham acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, “We’ve got to do a better job as a staff. That starts with me.”
The future of these programs remains uncertain, as early results are not definitive indicators of long-term success. As Livengood stated, hiring the right coach involves a blend of art and science, and only time will reveal if the fit is correct.
