College Football Coach Shared $200,000 Bonus With Staff Members
One of the most exciting and unpredictable college football seasons of all time is set to reach its apex this weekend, as teams around the country wrap up their regular season schedules.
For some schools, this weekend represents the final opportunity to enhance their resume ahead of the College Football Playoff selection process, while others are simply looking to secure bowl eligibility or a win over their rivals.
For Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, the final week of the regular season is an opportunity to show his appreciation for the members of his staff.
Dillingham received a $200,000 contract bonus for getting the Sun Devils to nine wins (and counting) this season.
According to Arizona State reporter Chris Karpman, Dillingham told 20 off-field staffers that they would be receiving bonuses from $5,000 to $10,000.
Dillingham didn't tell the staffers that the money would come from his own bonus in a show of generosity ahead of the holiday season.
The head coach is in his second season at Arizona State, and has led the Sun Devils to a 9-2 start following a 3-9 record last season.
Arizona State is bowl eligible for the first time since 2021, and they'll be in the Big 12 championship with a win this weekend against Arizona.
A win in the Big 12 title game would likely confirm an appearance in the College Football Playoff for Arizona State, the first in the program's history.
TEMPE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 23: Fans rush the field after a resumption of play with 1 second left on the clock during the NCAAF game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Mountain America Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Cougars 28-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
"It's about us going and playing and preparing like we do," Dillingham said about the team's game to close the regular season against Arizona.
With so much on the line, the head coach is attempting to keep his team grounded as the stakes get higher with each passing week.
"Like I've said to the team since I think week three, every game you win makes the next game the most important game...This is the most important game on our schedule because we put ourselves in position for it to matter, not just from a rivalry perspective but from a bigger perspective of achieving other aspirations."
Kenny Dillingham and Arizona State will take on Arizona on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET, and fans can see the game on FOX.
