Why Coaching Continuity Is Arizona State’s Biggest Advantage
Everyone always talks about talent, recruiting rankings, and flashy transfers when predicting who will win in college football. But one of the most underrated factors is something way less exciting: coaching continuity. And right now, Arizona State might have more of it than almost anyone in the Big 12.
In today’s college football world, coaches leave all the time. One good season, and the assistants are gone, either for better jobs or more money. That’s just how it works now. But Arizona State has been different.
Most of Kenny Dillingham’s staff has stayed put. Year after year, the same voices, the same system, the same expectations. That might not sound like a big deal, but it actually is. Because when players don’t have to relearn schemes every season, they get better faster. Simple as that.
Why It Actually Translates on the Field
Think about it like this: if you’re a player learning a playbook, year one is about surviving. Year two is about understanding. Year three is where things finally slow down. Arizona State is entering that “slow down” phase.
Players like Cutter Boley (or whoever wins the QB job), along with key returning pieces, aren’t starting from scratch. They already know the system. Now they can actually master it.
That’s how good teams turn into great ones, not just by adding talent, but by maximizing what they already have.
Kenny Dillingham’s Real Strength
Many people focus on Dillingham as a young, energetic coach. That’s fair. But his real strength might be something else: keeping people around. That’s not easy.
Assistants are loyal because they believe in the program and because they’re being taken care of. Whether it’s better salaries or bigger roles, Arizona State has made it worth staying. And that creates stability, which most programs don’t have.
When you look at the Big 12, there are a lot of good teams. Programs like BYU and Texas Tech are strong, no doubt. But not all of them have this level of continuity.
That’s why Arizona State feels different. Even if they don’t have the deepest roster, they might have the most connected one. And that matters in close games, tough road environments, and late-season pushes.
Arizona State, being a top-three team in the Big 12, isn’t just about talent; it’s about trust and stability. While other teams are still figuring things out, ASU already knows who they are. And in college football, that can be the difference between a good season and a special one.
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Lizzie Vargas attends Pasadena City College, pursuing a career in sports journalism. As a lifelong Raiders fan, she's excited to combine my passion for sports with storytelling that brings the sports world to life.