Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham begged for a big donor to step up. He likes where the program is from a fan support standpoint, as well as how local businesses have embraced him and the team.
Some outsiders were critical of his open plea, which he first made in talking about his contract extension.
Well, it has worked. Not only did he get help with funds for the new indoor football practice facility, but now Brian and Kelly Swette have stepped up with a $10 million gift for the Swette Family Endowed Football Coach position.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham watches his team as they run drills during a spring practice at Kajikawa practice fields in Tempe on April 14, 2026.
Their $10 million gift is the largest endowed leadership position at ASU.
The Swettes founded Sweet Earth Natural Foods in 2012. The company offers a line of convenient frozen vegetarian and vegan meals. Kelly Swette previously was director of marketing and director of national sales at PepsiCo and global vice president of marketing at Calvin Klein. Brian Swette previously was an executive with PepsiCo and chief operating officer at eBay, executive vice president at PepsiCo, chief operating officer at eBay and chairman of Burger King and Shutterfly.
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According to the school's press release, that money will go toward :
– Recruitment and retention of the best and brightest student-athletes to ASU
– Recruitment and retention of best-in-class coaches and staff
– Retention and compensation of Sun Devil football student-athletes as allowed by the NCAA
– New technologies to enhance athletes’ physical and mental development
It is the second endowed coaching position at the university, following one for men's hockey in late 2025.
No doubt, the football program is enjoying a resurgence under Dillingham.
The team won a Big 12 title in 2024 and was part of the College Football Playoff, a year after going 3-9. It fed off that momentum in 2025, selling out all seven home games.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham talks to his players during practice on April 21, 2026, at Kajikawa practice fields in Tempe.
“Success in sports is important for the university,†said Brian Swette, who graduated from ASU in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. “It enhances the college experience. It brings a sense of community and pride. It enriches our brand. It engages alumni and builds support for the university.â€
This is not the first contribution the family has made to the university. Two others have come in academic venues. The first in 2007 was to establish the Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, and another 10 years later, went to the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems to provide financial support to students from agricultural farmworking and food-working families.
Swette appreciates the way Dillingham has embraced the new dynamics of the sport and praised his leadership.
“The dynamics of athletics has changed with NIL and the (transfer) portal,†Swette said. “It requires a new type of leadership. Kenny is uniquely suited to success. We are proud to support him.â€
“It’s an honor to have the Swette family endow the head coaching position, and I can’t wait to continue building this program into what it can be with continued support,†Dillingham said. "Commitments like this show the direction of the program and the buy-in this program has from the community. The Swette family has been a vital piece of our program from season one on, and this gift marks a next-level commitment.â€
