Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham reportedly surprised his staff with a $200,000 Thanksgiving surprise – paid for from his own cash bonus.
Fans hailed Dillingham for his holiday gesture, which came after he led his team to nine wins in the 2024 regular season.
According to SunDevilSource.com, the ASU coach was given a $200,000 bonus after the team beat No 14 BYU last week.
That took the team’s record to 9-2 (6-2) for the campaign and Dillingham decided to reward his support staff for their hard work this season.
It’s claimed that he told 20 off-field staffers that they would be given a bonus of between $5,000 and $10,000. He reportedly didn’t reveal however that the money would come from his own $200,000.
Dillingham, who is just 34 years old, is reportedly paid a salary of $3.95million a year. He was praised for the gesture on social media – by both ASU supporters and fans of other schools.
Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham surprised his staff with a $200,000 Thanksgiving surprise
The ASU coach was given a $200,000 bonus after the Sun Devils beat No 14 BYU last week
‘So thankful this guy is our coach. Once in a generation type coach for ASU,’ one Sun Devils fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
‘I’d legitimately run through a wall for this dude! @KennyDillingham is the effin man,’ another wrote.
One Washington fan added: ‘This UW Husky fan is sending Coach Dillingham a BIG tip of the cap! Classy move Coach, well done!’
Another supporter even claimed the gesture had them rooting for the ASU to reach the postseason. ‘Well now I want them in the playoff,’ they said. ‘This is incredible.’