Phil Mickelson reacted with clear excitement after Arizona State secured head coach Kenny Dillingham on a new long-term contract. The six-time major winner took to social media to celebrate the move showing his support for the Sun Devils program.

On Saturday December 20 ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on X that Arizona State and Dillingham had agreed to a new deal that will keep the coach in Tempe. As per the report the deal averages $7.5 million per year while the staff salary pool has been raised to $11 million placing it among the top programs in the Big 12.

Phil Mickelson later reshared Schefter’s post and wrote:

“YYYEEESSSS!!!! Love coach D Great job by President Crow and AD Rossini to take care of our own!👏👏👏👏👏”

According to ESPN the contract runs for five years and includes incentives that could extend Dillingham’s tenure up to 10 years. The increased commitment to the coaching staff also signals Arizona State’s intent to remain competitive at the conference level.

Since taking over in 2023, Dillingham has helped revive the program. At just 35 he led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth in 2024. The team is 19-7 since the start of his second season, despite being picked to finish last in the conference before the year began.

Mickelson, who is currently enjoying the offseason following the end of the LIV Golf 2025 season, consistently backed Dillingham’s rise.

Phil Mickelson reacts to emotional Kenny Dillingham moment at Arizona State

Kenny Dillingham’s connection with Arizona State was on full display earlier this week, and it did not go unnoticed by Phil Mickelson. During a media interaction the Sun Devils head coach struggled to hold back emotion while speaking about the program that shaped him.

Dillingham briefly paused after saying, “I love this place…” before collecting himself and adding that Arizona State remains “a special place” to him.

The clip was shared by a Sun Devils fan page on X and quickly resonated with ASU supporters. Mickelson was among those who responded praising Dillingham’s impact on the program. Reacting to the video he wrote:

“He is the best and has brought an amazing energy to ASU football and athletics!”

Both Mickelson and Dillingham share deep ties to Arizona State. Mickelson starred for the Sun Devils from 1988 to 1992 while Dillingham, a Phoenix native and ASU graduate from 2012 now leads the program he once represented.