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Even before the Arizona Wildcats took the floor at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in the NCAA Final Four against Michigan, coach Tommy Lloyd was the talk of the day.
Would he listen to officials from North Carolina who were seeking a coach to replace Hubert Davis, with whom the school had parted ways?
The success Lloyd has achieved in his five years in Tucson has established him as one of the most desired targets for potential employers.
Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham knows the feeling. Four months ago, he was heavily sought after by the University of Michigan, which had an opening after the controversial departure of Sherrone Moore. That wasn't the first school making an overture to the popular Sun Devil coach.
Like Lloyd, Dillingham said thanks, but no thanks.
More money can't buy happiness. Both Dillingham and Lloyd are among the highest-paid in their profession and are happy in their respective communities. Dillingham is a Valley native. His sister lives next door, and his parents and in-laws are within walking distance. Why would he go elsewhere?
Lloyd isn't native to Arizona, but he seems to have embraced the Tucson community and the school's history, as evidenced by his many references to Lute Olson.
The potential of being lured away was enough for the two to leverage new contracts — the rewards not just being better financial situations for themselves, but, more importantly, for their coaching staffs, too.
The two have different personalities but share a lot in common, with turning down high-profile suitors among the most significant of those. Let's face it, things with the state's professional franchises haven't exactly been hunky dory in recent years. Having a marquee program at each college helps keep the state relevant. They're not just relevant, they're thriving.
In 2025, ASU sold out every home football game for the first time in decades, with the school setting records for student attendance. The construction of a new, state-of-the-art indoor football facility, which is in the works, builds on the excitement.
Arizona sold out McKale Center eight times.
Dillingham, who turns 36 later this month, stepped into a difficult situation. When Dillingham took over, the program was under NCAA sanctions, courtesy of the previous regime. It went from 3-9 in his first season to 11-3 in his second year, highlighted by an unexpected Big 12 championship and berth in the College Football Playoff. That kind of improvement is almost unprecedented.
It was that magical season that got fans reinvested, and more importantly, big donors, too.
Lloyd stepped into a situation that wasn't as dire as Dillingham's. The Wildcats had success, but had a history of underachieving in the postseason under Sean Miller, who led the program from 2009 to 2021.
Dillingham often shrugged off any personal glory, instead singling out the leadership of his veteran players. He often called the program "player-led."
Lloyd, 51, has used the same term when talking about his squad, which was the Big 12 regular-season champion, the conference tournament champion, and advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. It most recently came up when he discussed his team's halftime adjustment in an Elite Eight win over Purdue. The Wildcats trailed at the half, and Lloyd said he let the team leaders do much of the talking.
Granted, the coaches are different in their demeanor. Dillingham wears his heart on his sleeve. His emotions show, and he does not attempt to bury them. It's one thing that has endeared him to both his players and fans alike.
Lloyd is more controlled. Sure, he can get on an official after a foul is called against one of his players, but he is more reserved by nature.
Another key difference is that Dillingham has a great relationship with his athletic director, unlike Lloyd, who has written into his new deal that he can report to the school president instead.
The fan bases are behind these coaches, as are the important administrative bodies.
Dillingham was asked about the similarities between his situation and that of Lloyd last week, when the Arizona coaches' extension was announced on the eve of its Final Four appearance.
"All those decisions kind of spur from the Board of Regents approval, and anytime the Board of Regents is getting behind sports programs in the state, I think it's a positive," he said. "It's a good sign that the Board of Regents is really understanding how important the state is, how important sports are in the state, and I think they're trying to make that known."
It's a win-win for all.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dillingham, Lloyd have programs on great trajectories
Continue reading...
Would he listen to officials from North Carolina who were seeking a coach to replace Hubert Davis, with whom the school had parted ways?
The success Lloyd has achieved in his five years in Tucson has established him as one of the most desired targets for potential employers.
Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham knows the feeling. Four months ago, he was heavily sought after by the University of Michigan, which had an opening after the controversial departure of Sherrone Moore. That wasn't the first school making an overture to the popular Sun Devil coach.
Like Lloyd, Dillingham said thanks, but no thanks.
More money can't buy happiness. Both Dillingham and Lloyd are among the highest-paid in their profession and are happy in their respective communities. Dillingham is a Valley native. His sister lives next door, and his parents and in-laws are within walking distance. Why would he go elsewhere?
Lloyd isn't native to Arizona, but he seems to have embraced the Tucson community and the school's history, as evidenced by his many references to Lute Olson.
The potential of being lured away was enough for the two to leverage new contracts — the rewards not just being better financial situations for themselves, but, more importantly, for their coaching staffs, too.
The two have different personalities but share a lot in common, with turning down high-profile suitors among the most significant of those. Let's face it, things with the state's professional franchises haven't exactly been hunky dory in recent years. Having a marquee program at each college helps keep the state relevant. They're not just relevant, they're thriving.
You must be registered for see images attach
In 2025, ASU sold out every home football game for the first time in decades, with the school setting records for student attendance. The construction of a new, state-of-the-art indoor football facility, which is in the works, builds on the excitement.
Arizona sold out McKale Center eight times.
Dillingham, who turns 36 later this month, stepped into a difficult situation. When Dillingham took over, the program was under NCAA sanctions, courtesy of the previous regime. It went from 3-9 in his first season to 11-3 in his second year, highlighted by an unexpected Big 12 championship and berth in the College Football Playoff. That kind of improvement is almost unprecedented.
It was that magical season that got fans reinvested, and more importantly, big donors, too.
Lloyd stepped into a situation that wasn't as dire as Dillingham's. The Wildcats had success, but had a history of underachieving in the postseason under Sean Miller, who led the program from 2009 to 2021.
You must be registered for see images
Dillingham often shrugged off any personal glory, instead singling out the leadership of his veteran players. He often called the program "player-led."
Lloyd, 51, has used the same term when talking about his squad, which was the Big 12 regular-season champion, the conference tournament champion, and advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. It most recently came up when he discussed his team's halftime adjustment in an Elite Eight win over Purdue. The Wildcats trailed at the half, and Lloyd said he let the team leaders do much of the talking.
Granted, the coaches are different in their demeanor. Dillingham wears his heart on his sleeve. His emotions show, and he does not attempt to bury them. It's one thing that has endeared him to both his players and fans alike.
Lloyd is more controlled. Sure, he can get on an official after a foul is called against one of his players, but he is more reserved by nature.
Another key difference is that Dillingham has a great relationship with his athletic director, unlike Lloyd, who has written into his new deal that he can report to the school president instead.
The fan bases are behind these coaches, as are the important administrative bodies.
Dillingham was asked about the similarities between his situation and that of Lloyd last week, when the Arizona coaches' extension was announced on the eve of its Final Four appearance.
"All those decisions kind of spur from the Board of Regents approval, and anytime the Board of Regents is getting behind sports programs in the state, I think it's a positive," he said. "It's a good sign that the Board of Regents is really understanding how important the state is, how important sports are in the state, and I think they're trying to make that known."
It's a win-win for all.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dillingham, Lloyd have programs on great trajectories
Continue reading...
