ASU coach Kenny Dillingham made sure his team shook hands with Texas despite heartbreaking Peach Bowl loss

That’s how you handle defeat with class.

Heading into Wednesday’s Peach Bowl as heavy underdogs, Arizona State wasn’t given much of a chance against Texas. But when a team that is picked to finish last in a conference ultimately wins said conference, there’s a culture of belief that starts with the head coach.

That remained true even in defeat. There’s always a lesson to teach.

ASU rallied from down 16 points to tie Texas and force double overtime in an electric Peach Bowl. But when Texas picked off Sam Leavitt to ice the game, it would have been easy for ASU players to head straight to the locker room at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

ASU coach Kenny Dillingham wasn’t going to let that happen.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Dillingham was asked about the exchange he had with some of his players. He directed them back onto the field to shake hands with the Longhorns, explaining that you show respect to your opponent — win or lose. He would have wanted his players to do the same had the Sun Devils pulled off the win.

Dillingham, who turns 35 in April, had the college football world impressed, especially in how he handled defeat. That’s exactly how it should be done.

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