Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham hilariously apologizes for using term

The Arizona State Sun Devils football team has become one of the nation’s most creative and successful under the leadership of coach Kenny Dillingham heading into Saturday’s big road test at Texas A&M, and Aggies coach Mike Elko took note recently, referencing ASU’s consistent development of NFL players.

Dillingham and his coaching staff are big on NFL concepts and terminology, and there’s one controversial football term describing a formation popularized in the NFL that he can’t avoid using, as reporter Blake Niemann of FOX 10 Phoenix shared on Monday.

“Wildcat, right? That simple. I know people aren’t gonna let me say the word wildcat, right, I’m sorry,” Dillingham said in a press conference in description of the rare formation, which is characterized by a direct shotgun snap to a running back.

“It’s the wildcat guys, apologize, it’s all I know when I think of that formation, so I truly to my core apologize, I don’t know what to tell ya.”

Kenny Dillingham apologized to Sun Devil fans for using "wildcat" in his formation calls

"I know people aren't gonna let me say the word wildcat. I'm sorry. It's the wildcat guys. Apologies, it's all I know when I think of that formation. I truly to my core apologize." pic.twitter.com/oDMf4Yy5Ss

— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) September 7, 2026

Dillingham’s team ran for 249 yards in its opening game against the Morgan State Bears, led by NFL running back prospect Kyson Brown with 80 yards and a touchdown and fellow running back Jason Brown Jr. with 60 yards and a touchdown. He also implemented the wildcat formation using Cardae Mack, who ran for 24 yards on three carries.

Dillingham, who helped develop former Sun Devils star and New York Giants fan favorite Cam Skattebo, led his team to the College Football Playoff in 2024 with dual-threat quarterback Sam Leavitt, who is now starring at LSU. Leavitt’s departure highlighted an NIL spending concern with the Sun Devils’ program that has placed pressure on the Sun Devils coach to find new ways to succeed on offense.

Pulling out the wildcat on a game-by-game basis won’t offset the loss of Leavitt, but it could help keep the Aggies’ defense honest as Dillingham looks to spring an upset on his team’s SEC opponents this weekend.

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