\u201cI\u2019m going there to learn. Right?\u201d Dillingham said. \u201cSo that\u2019s the value. So let\u2019s go there and try to learn something that we could take back, which we did learn a few things. I\u2019m not going to share it because they\u2019re giving us behind-the-scenes access, so I don\u2019t want to leak any of their stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arizona State finished last season 11-3<\/a> after winning the Big 12<\/a> and was seeded fourth in the College Football Playoff before losing to Texas in the Peach Bowl.<\/p>\n Dillingham, who is entering his third season with the team, stressed the importance of not settling, especially after last season\u2019s success. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was fun,\u201d Dillingham said. \u201cI like giving the opportunity for the younger (coaches) or even some of the veterans to go out if they want to steal something from a position drill. For me, I\u2019m trying to steal some organizational stuff. Do they do a really cool special teams drill? Do they do a cool team drill? They do a unique way of practice tempos. That\u2019s cool. So for me, it\u2019s what can I learn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI grew up a Cardinals fan. My family won tailgater of the year twice,\u201d the ASU coach added. \u201cSo I grew up tailgating. The Cardinals are something near and dear to me. So going out there and Coach [Gannon] being able to open the doors for us and me being able to learn, why wouldn\u2019t I take that opportunity to get better?\u201d<\/p>\n Dillingham praised Gannon\u2019s work with the Cardinals, citing the NFL head coach\u2019s meticulous planning and belief in his team. <\/p>\n Both coaches are entering their third season with their respective teams.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s awesome,\u201d Dillingham said of Gannon. \u201cJust getting around him, he\u2019s super intelligent, he\u2019s super deliberate, but I don\u2019t think he\u2019s overbearing. I think he lets his coaches coach. He gives his advice when he feels like it\u2019s needed and he\u2019s convicted on things. And I think anytime you\u2019re convicted of what you do or what you believe in and your plan, I think that\u2019s how you become successful.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I think from the first time I met him until now, his plan has stayed the same \u2014 to win. And I think when you have a plan, it\u2019s really hard to stay the course and he has done that. So I\u2019m fired up to watch him and his team play this year just because I have nothing but the utmost respect for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Cardinals fan Kenny Dillingham knows how to throw a tailgate<\/p>\n Dillingham grew up in the Valley and with a rabid group of Cardinals fans.<\/p>\n His family won \u201ctailgater of the year\u201d twice. But what makes a tailgate great?<\/p>\n It goes back to a similar mindset he\u2019s brought with him to the sidelines as coach.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of energy,\u201d Dillingham said. \u201cWe had Chef Jeff out there at a time who would be grilling out green chili burritos. We had literal ice sculptures at one point during one of the playoff runs out there. I would just say the commitment to being great.\u201d<\/p>\n
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