One of the most interesting things about the current state of college football is the way that coaches and players are able to take to social media and use that as a channel for speaking their mind. Whether it’s good or bad or funny or snarky or whatever. College football coaches and players now have a way to very publicly connect with fans (whether that’s in their own fanbase or someone else’s).
I think Lane Kiffin and Bret Bielema are the classic examples here that a lot of folks already know about. They’re coaches that know how to engage and chat with folks and are willing to speak their mind on just about everything. In many ways, Mike Leach was the same sort of way (but Leach really did his own thing his own way all the time always).
One of my new, favorite examples of this is Kenny Dillingham, the Arizona State Sun Devils coach who is fresh off a season in which he got the Sun Devils back on track as a program and guided them all the way to the College Football Playoff.
The 35-year-old out in Tempe is more than willing to share his thoughts with folks. Like how he’s noted his belief in the fact that Texas Tech has the talent to be able to compete for the Big 12 championship this season.
Him doing that confused a lot of college football fans. And I love that.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham had some fans confused when he praised Texas Tech’s roster heading into 2025
I mean, folks were just flat out perplexed about this situation.
— Dwight Powell (@DP_Statue) May 31, 2025
Why is Kenny saying this about the competition… I don’t like it
— colt (@TheOGcolt) May 31, 2025
Of course, some were quick to point out that Dillingham might be thinking a few steps ahead, playing 5-D chess, and outmaneuvering folks.
Kenny rn pic.twitter.com/AitgWrz4zS
— Arizona Sports Hype (@HypeArizona) May 30, 2025
Kenny Zen Máster Dillingham pic.twitter.com/J6gNEr6849
— Chef 🔱 (CJ Fite fan) (@Chef_602) May 30, 2025
— Carson Ricks (@crayricks) May 30, 2025
There certainly is a possibility that Dillingham is just playing mind games with people.
🤣🔱 https://t.co/DFnV2GqLqH pic.twitter.com/7ALjm1Xnhd
— Glen Nagunst (@GlenNaguns50991) May 30, 2025
Others had a good bit of fun with it.
Their collective is off the chain. I’m so glad you’ve made our collective a priority Coach!
— ChasmanianDevil (@CharlesNajeraX) May 30, 2025
And then some folks brought up how the Red Raiders are investing heavily in the roster.
Maybe it’s all mind games. Maybe it’s totally sincere. I don’t know. Nobody really knows. It’s just great that this is happening. What a time to be alive and paying attention to college football. A lot of odd things are happening with this sport, but stuff like this is fun.