Less than a week removed from winning a national championship, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has made the surprising decision to leave his post after three seasons with the Buckeyes and take on the same role with Penn State, according to multiple reports.
Knowles was reportedly planning to come back to the state of Oklahoma and join the Sooners, but Penn State clearly bid up to land one of the most-coveted coordinators in college football. Notre Dame was also considered to be in the running.
Knowles’ deal is for $3.1 million per season, making him the highest-paid coordinator in college football history.
Knowles was the architect of a championship-level defense at Ohio State. In 2024, Knowles coordinated an Ohio State defense that led all FBS programs in scoring defense (12.9 ppg), total defense (254.6 yards per game), and defensive efficiency (EPA/Play).
Additionally, the Buckeyes ranked second nationally in sacks (53.0), fifth in tackles for loss (113.0), third in rush defense (87.6 ypg), and third in pass defense (167.0 ypg).
Prior to his time at Ohio State, Knowles spent three seasons at Oklahoma State (2018-21) and played a pivotal part in an incredible 2021 season, which ended with the Cowboys ranked as the No. 7 team in the land after a win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.
Before that, Knowles made a name for himself as the defensive coordinator at Duke from 2010 to 2017.
Knowles is 59 years old and a Philadelphia native. He has agreed to the record-setting contract over three years in State College.
