Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham Makes ‘Blue Blood’ Claim After 2024 Success
In a stunning twist to the 2024 college football season, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham has taken the national spotlight — not just for revitalizing a long-stagnant Sun Devils program, but for boldly proclaiming that ASU belongs in the conversation with college football’s “blue bloods.”
“I don’t care what people say,” Dillingham declared during a fiery postgame press conference following ASU’s upset win over USC in the Pac-12 Championship. “We built this the right way. We’re not just a flash in the pan. We are a blue blood now — and if the so-called elites have a problem with that, they can line up and play us.”
The comment sent shockwaves across the college football world. Traditional powerhouses like Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame have long claimed blue blood status — a title associated not just with winning seasons, but decades of dominance, national titles, and historic prestige. ASU, despite a storied history and a passionate fanbase, has not hoisted a national title nor consistently competed on the playoff stage. That is, until now.
Under Dillingham, the 2024 Sun Devils stunned the nation. Picked to finish near the bottom of the restructured Pac-12, they instead finished 11–2, knocking off Oregon, Washington, and USC en route to a New Year’s Six bowl berth. Sophomore quarterback Treyson Mitchell emerged as a Heisman finalist, and ASU’s defense led the nation in turnovers forced — a turnaround almost no analyst predicted.
But critics argue that one great season doesn’t erase decades of inconsistency. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum scoffed at the blue blood label, saying, “One good year and suddenly Kenny Dillingham thinks he’s Nick Saban? Please. Arizona State hasn’t even been to the College Football Playoff yet.” Others chimed in, pointing out that blue blood status isn’t self-declared — it’s earned over generations.
Still, Dillingham’s declaration isn’t without precedent. In a sport where branding is almost as important as winning, perception often shapes reality. With the transfer portal and NIL changing the game, ASU has become an attractive destination for top talent. Five-star recruits from California, Texas, and even Florida have committed to the Sun Devils in the last six months alone.
Even within Tempe, Dillingham’s statement sparked controversy. Some alumni celebrated his bravado, comparing it to the swagger of Pete Carroll-era USC. Others urged caution, reminding fans of past collapses after brief moments of success. “We’ve heard this song before,” said former ASU quarterback Jake Plummer. “Let’s see it sustained before we start rewriting history.”
Fiction or future? That depends on what Arizona State does next. If Dillingham can string together more seasons like 2024, his bold claim may one day sound prophetic. For now, it’s a flashpoint — a challenge to the old guard and a call to arms for a program daring to dream bigger than it ever has before.
