Knowles would fill the void on Penn State’s staff left by Tom Allen, who accepted the same position with Clemson earlier this month.
Here are three potential options who could fill the Ohio State Buckeyes' defensive coordinator vacancy in 2025.
Just days after leading Ohio State's defense to a College Football Playoff national championship, Jim Knowles accepted a massive offer from Penn State. Where will Ryan Day look for his successor?
Knowles, a Philadelphia native with strong ties to the Northeast, transformed the Buckeyes' defense during an impressive three-year stint. Ohio State ranked top three in total defense each of the past two seasons and led the nation by holding opponents to 254.6 yards per game and 4.2 yards per play during a historic campaign.
Just as Ohio State was celebrating its national championship victory at Ohio Stadium on Sunday, news broke that Jim Knowles was heading to Penn State.
Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles ruffled feathers in Columbus by accepting a job at Penn State. The traitorous move to a Big Ten rival came
Penn State has lured Tom Knowles away from Ohio State. The Nittany Lions have hired Knowles to serve as their defensive coordinator.
Jim Knowles is expected to take the same position at Penn State, as first reported by Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger. The two sides are finalizing a three-year deal reportedly worth $3.1 million per season, making him the first college football coordinator to earn an annual salary of at least $3 million.
The departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles adds a challenge for Ohio State, which was already dealing with heavy roster turnover on defense.
As Ohio State’s celebration tour for the school’s ninth national title continues, some of the Buckeyes’ key defensive players are grappling with the departure of their defensive coordinator. Jim Knowles decided to leave Columbus for Big Ten rival Penn State after three years at Ohio State,
Ohio State’s defensive coordinator is celebrating winning a national championship with a new contract — from one of their rivals.