Kalani Sitake and Kenny Dillingham Praise Each Other Ahead of Crucial BYU vs. Arizona State Matchup

Kalani Sitake, the head coach of BYU, and Kenny Dillingham, the head coach of Arizona State, have expressed mutual respect and admiration for each other as their teams prepare to face off in a pivotal matchup this Saturday. The game is crucial for both teams, as the winner will remain in contention for the Big 12 championship, while the loser will be essentially eliminated from the title race.

Sitake and Dillingham have a history of competition, including a 2022 game where Dillingham’s Oregon Ducks defeated BYU 41-20. However, their professional paths have also intersected in other ways; Dillingham was an offensive assistant at Arizona State from 2014-15, a period during which Sitake served as the defensive coordinator at Utah and later Oregon State.

Dillingham, at 34 years old, is the youngest non-interim head coach in college football and has led Arizona State to a surprising 7-2 record this season, averaging 30.8 points per game. Sitake praised Dillingham’s coaching abilities, highlighting his “great offensive mind” and his initiative to keep local talent in the Phoenix area.

Dillingham reciprocated the praise, calling Sitake “one of the best defensive minds in football” and commending his ability to inspire his players. “He’s a phenomenal football coach, he’s done an incredible job there,” Dillingham said during his weekly media availability.

Despite the high stakes of the upcoming game, both coaches emphasized their respect for each other, both on and off the field. Sitake noted that Dillingham’s approach to coaching and his relationship with his players are qualities that he greatly admires.