Arizona State Head Coach Kenny Dillingham Speaks on Self-Imposed Bowl Ban
The Arizona State Sun Devils will not go bowling in 2023, even if it does get to that magical six-win threshold that is required to participate in the postseason.
Amid an NCAA investigation surrounding alleged infractions that took place under former head coach Herm Edwards, Arizona State will self-impose a one-year postseason ban on its football program and forego any opportunity to participate in a bowl game in 2023.
“Arizona State University has informed the NCAA and Pac-12 conference that it will self-impose a one-year postseason ban on its football program for the upcoming season,” athletic director Ray Anderson said in a statement. “In light of the ongoing investigation and our membership obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the matter, we will not be commenting further at this time.”
With their season-opener coming against Southern Utah coming up on Thursday, ASU was in the middle of their game prep week when they learned that there is no shot at a bowl game this season.
Head Coach Kenny Dillingham spoke with media after practice on Sunday, and detailed what he described as a “sh**ty” day.
“Control us,” Dillingham said when asked what he told his players after the news. “I knew today would be sh**ty… “To think 18-22-year-olds are going to go out and have a good Tuesday practice is absolutely delusional,” Dillingham said. “… The guys did the best they could do.”
With around 20 seniors on the squad, this self-imposed ban is an absolute gut punch for those who are going into their final year of football. The news was certainly met with emotion from both the players and the coaching staff.
“Things were said, but that’s between us and the players,” Dillingham said. “I mean, they’re not happy.”a
When asked about how he will keep the team motived without the allure of a bowl game to end the season, Dillingham said its about being “the very best they can be every day.”
“What I just told the team is, ‘Nobody cares about your circumstance,'” said Dillingham, whose face still seemed flushed and his eyes bloodshot from his spirited speech. “In reality, most people in life would rather see people fail so they don’t have to work hard, actually work hard enough to beat them. Everybody looks at this like, ‘Oh great, Arizona State’s not going to be motivated anymore.’
“That’s the challenge: It’s us versus us every day.”
