Kenny Dillingham Discusses Bounce-back Arizona State Practice

The Sun Devils had a much better practice on Friday after a rough Thursday.

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham yells to his defensive linemen as they run a drill during the first day of fall practice in Tempe, Ariz. on July 30, 2025. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TEMPE -- The 2025 Arizona State season is now exactly four weeks away from reaching an official beginning.

The Sun Devils have embarked on fall camp over the last three days to prepare for the season that is to be - having already put out a practice session that left head coach Kenny Dillingham displeased on Thursday.

Friday left a much different tone in Dillingham's media availability.

When asked about the response on Friday to a rough Thursday practice:

"It was awesome. Back and forth all day, competitive, energetic, working to get better, staying off the ground, playing, you know, like we're a veteran team. So, a lot of positives today."

The practice did run smoothly and there was once again a sizable sum of standout players on Friday - there have typically been different names each day as far as the standouts have been concerned.

On the pick six that QB Sam Leavitt threw during 7-on-7's:

"We weren't quite on the same page on offense. We got to get a little more on the same page, especially on underneath routes on early downs, right? So that was just more of a communication thing as it was just a bad play. We got to be on the same page."

Dillingham's trademark honesty is a breath of fresh air in college football - he will always hold his team accountable, even when they are playing well out have a strong practice output.

Dillingham proceeded to make a lighthearted comment when asked about if the "Activate the Valley" phrase has been trademarked:

"It was actually trademarked by the Board of Regents like the day I said it."

The 35 year old head coach has been hyper-fixated on turning the program culture under Herm Edwards completely around - that phrase has always been at the forefront of those efforts.

Jul 8, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham addresses the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Arizona State returns to the traditional practice schedule on Monday - and fans will get to hear from Dillingham again at the conclusion of that session.

The Sun Devils officially begin the new campaign on August 30 against Northern Arizona and usher in the Big 12 title defense against Baylor on September 20.

Read more on the case for Leavitt to be an All-American selection at season's end here, and if Dillingham has any built-in recruiting advantages in his role here.

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