Kenny Dillingham of Arizona State is poised to receive huge bonus for securing a Big 12 championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham has turned heads this season, not only for his team’s exceptional performance but also for the substantial bonuses he’s earned along the way. On Saturday, Dillingham added over $1.5 million to his earnings as the Sun Devils triumphed over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship, securing a 45-19 victory in Arlington, Texas. This success not only crowned Arizona State as conference champions but also likely secured them a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Dillingham’s compensation package reflects Arizona State’s long-standing strategy: moderate base salaries paired with some of the most lucrative performance incentives in college sports. For winning the Big 12 Championship, Dillingham will receive a $395,000 bonus, equivalent to 10% of his $3.95 million base salary. The playoff berth adds another $1.135 million, bringing his total bonus for these achievements to $1.53 million—the largest single-game bonus payout since USA TODAY Sports began tracking such figures in 2019. This milestone surpasses the $1.5 million earned by Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh for similar accomplishments in previous years.

Altogether, Dillingham has accumulated $2.525 million in on-field bonuses this season, though he has generously chosen to share $200,000 of this with 20 support staff members. For perspective, there are at least 63 head coaches in the Bowl Subdivision earning less than this amount in total base salary for the season. Beyond this, Dillingham is poised to earn additional bonuses based on Arizona State’s final rankings in the College Football Playoff standings or other major polls, with amounts depending on where the team ultimately lands.

Dillingham’s $3.95 million base salary ranks him 11th among coaches at public schools in the Big 12, yet his contract offers one of the highest potential bonus ceilings in college football. Starting the year with a maximum bonus potential of nearly $5.4 million, Dillingham has already shattered expectations. His achievements this season include bonuses for the team’s ninth and tenth regular-season wins, reaching the Big 12 title game, and being named Big 12 Coach of the Year.

The incentives don’t stop there. Dillingham is also set to receive $100,000 based on the team’s Graduation Success Rate and stands to gain even more through academic-related bonuses. Should Arizona State advance further in the playoffs, additional payouts await, underscoring the program’s commitment to rewarding excellence both on and off the field. Arizona State’s approach to coaching contracts is a testament to its focus on results, and Dillingham has certainly delivered.