ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham's 'playing to win' rant before USC game divides fans
Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham went off on a rant about winning earlier this week.
Some people have very different opinions about it in reaction to the rant on social media, with some loving the ASU first-year coach's passion, and others thinking it was just too much.
“If you don’t expect to win every game, you got a problem,” Dillingham said in the rant, captured by 12 News' Cameron Cox. “I don’t care if I’m playing Michael Jordan in basketball. I’m not playing to lose! Otherwise, why would I play? I’m not just gonna play cause it’s fun. No! What’s fun is competing to win. So, you’re playing to win! That’s it! And if you don’t, whatever happens after the game, it doesn’t matter.
“You then watch the tape, and you get better, and you grow, and you get better and grow and get better. And eventually, right? Saturday nights are gonna feel better. But if you don’t take the field and you expect to win the football game, something’s wrong. You should expect to win. Otherwise, you shouldn’t be on the field.”
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Life is a circle....@KennyDillingham "You're playing to win (the game). pic.twitter.com/xrkyEQX8qC
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) September 21, 2023
Some on social media pointed out the similarities Dillingham's animated comments had with some animated comments Herm Edwards made when he was an NFL coach.
Interestingly, Dillingham took over as Arizona State football coach after Edwards was fired last season.
The Sun Devils are 1-2 on the season after getting shut out 29-0 by Fresno State last week.
They face USC on Saturday at Mountain America Stadium and are a huge underdog in the game against the Trojans.
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Social media reacted to Kenny Dillingham's rant before the Arizona State vs. USC game:
This is embarrassing
— DfrntPrspctv (@Ripplefex) September 21, 2023
Nah. That's Kenny... he's got real energy and passion.
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) September 21, 2023
Comes off as cranky and spastic, not motivational or inspiring. But as you can tell I’m a Wildcat, so my judgement may be clouded.
— Wildcat (@Wildcat3691) September 21, 2023
It is. He’s a fantastic coach. Deserves a lot of credit for Jordan Travis’ and Bo Nix development. He’s going to be given a long leash at ASU and won’t be fun to deal with in a few years for y’all. Plus he’s not going anywhere.
— Chris Erdmier (@CA_Erdmier) September 21, 2023
Complete 180?? He is literally echoing Herm! 🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/vbhuWPnfb3
— K (@Kalup_James) September 21, 2023
This seems like a great hire!!!
— Freetaiwan 🇺🇦 (@freetaiwan) September 21, 2023
You can take ASU away from Herm Edwards, but you cannot take Herm Edwards away from ASU. 🤣🤣🤣
— StephTuittRules (@StephTuittRules) September 21, 2023
I don’t care if we go 1-11 this season. I am 100% behind Kenny Dillingham. I believe in him and his staff and their vision. Go Devils!
— Corbz (@corbz1930) September 21, 2023
Seriously love his passion. Breath of fresh air after the last staff!
— Emilee (@SundevilMLE) September 21, 2023
This is bad.
— TJ (@redwayve) September 21, 2023
Already feeling the pressure.
— Common Sense Human (@JfpHuman) September 22, 2023
I thought ASU got rid of Herm Edwards!?
— Gary Weiss (@coachgardog) September 21, 2023
Love it. Man is bringing a passion to a school and state he cares about. Rather this passion than the previous ones!
— @CoachSekoch (@coachsekoch) September 21, 2023
Say what yall want, but a lot of those seasoned retread coaches would have mailed it in and gave bland answers.. CKD still passionate, and fired up after the bowl ban, the injuries, the people turning, and the local hate (public and private).. Say what you want..
THIS 👏🏽 IS 👏🏽… https://t.co/IpEkbqvCM7— Just Chilly (@JUSTCHILLY) September 21, 2023
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU football: Kenny Dillingham's rant before USC game divides fans
