Fresh off a national championship run with Ohio State, Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has accepted the same position at Big Ten rival Penn State, Matt Zenitz confirms. Knowles is expected to become the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the history of college football with a salary range averaging $3.1 million over three years, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
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.
Prior to Ohio State, Knowles emerged as a standout name at Oklahoma State, where he led the Cowboys to a top-five national defense and appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game in 2021. He previously had a standout stretch at Duke as a defensive coordinator and served as coach of Cornell, his alma mater, from 2004-2009.
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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.
Prior to Ohio State, Knowles emerged as a standout name at Oklahoma State, where he led the Cowboys to a top-five national defense and appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game in 2021. He previously had a standout stretch at Duke as a defensive coordinator and served as coach of Cornell, his alma mater, from 2004-2009.
Penn State hires Jim Knowles from Ohio State, making him college football's highest-paid defensive coordinator
Knowles has posted four straight top-15 defenses between Ohio State and Oklahoma State
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