Kenny Dillingham’s ‘Annoying’ Motivational Tactics at Arizona State Practice Cause Reaction
In the first spring practice for the Arizona State Sun Devils, a surprising song rose over the sounds of whistles and the cracking of helmets. Head Coach Kenny Dillingham had the speakers blasting “We Are the Champions” by Queen throughout the day in reference to the team’s recent Big 12 Conference Championship win.
Some may hear this and feel that the team is resting on their laurels and relishing the win, but that wasn’t Dillingham’s purpose behind the song choice.
“I want it to become monotonous. Nobody cares. We’re trying to make last year irrelevant.” Dillingham said.
Dillingham’s goal for the team is to try to get them used to this success, for them to think of a conference championship as the expectation rather than the goal. He wants the Sun Devils to strive for higher heights, and star quarterback Sam Leavitt echoed this ideal.
“I don’t care about last year’s championship. Obviously, it was fun for the moment, but I don’t want to hear that no more.” Leavitt said. “We’re not champions anymore; it’s a new season. We’ve got more to prove.”
Of course, Leavitt also admitted that the song was getting on his nerves during practice.
“I can’t speak for everyone else, but it was annoying me,” Leavitt said.
On3 Sports recently ranked Leavitt as the best returning quarterback and second-best player overall heading into 2025. Understandably, the spotlight is shining brightly on the 20-year-old signal caller.
Leavitt seems excited for the upcoming season and the potential the team holds. In particular, Leavitt’s rapport with redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, and Leavitt made sure to tell the media that the duo is driving each other to improve.
“That’s my guy. We always push each other. Competing at swimming in the pool, playing ping pong, everything.” Leavitt said.
Tyson exploded onto the scene this past year for ASU, with 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. Tyson is gearing up to improve on his incredible 2024 season, echoing Dillingham’s mantra about focusing on what’s ahead.
“I feel like I’m a person who can listen to a coach and really apply it, so when coach says, ‘Don’t think about last year,’ I’m on to next year,” Tyson said.
The media has high expectations for Tyson’s 2025 campaign, as PFF has him ranked as the third-best returning receiver in college football.
Both Tyson and Leavitt look to dominate in 2025, and Tyson knows that starts with his quarterback. In his post-practice interview, Tyson expressed high praise for Leavitt while placing significant responsibility on his shoulders for the upcoming season.
“Everybody is going to be dependent on him now, ‘cause he’s our best player,” Tyson said. “I think we’re going to have to lean on him a little more and I think he’s going to have to be more vocal with what he feels is right or wrong.”
Tyson and Leavitt clearly hold each other in high regard, and they aren’t the only ones. PFF considers Tyson and Leavitt to be the best quarterback/wide receiver duo in college football in 2025, and plays like this are why:
The Sun Devils have the bar set high for 2025, but don’t be surprised if they achieve their goals and shatter the already-high expectations that fans and the media have for them.
