Jim Knowles has spent more than three decades shaping defenses across college football, and now his journey has brought him to Knoxville. His resume is long, detailed, and marked by consistent improvement everywhere he has coached.
But behind the intensity of his profession is a quieter personal life defined by stability, family, and the same sense of discipline he brings to his teams.
Knowles was born in Philadelphia and grew up with a deep appreciation for academics and athletics. That balance carried him through St. Joseph’s Prep and later Cornell, where he played defensive end before moving into coaching.
Throughout that journey, his family remained the grounding force behind the scenes. He is married to his wife, Nancy, and together they have three children: Halle, Luke, and Jack. They have stayed out of the spotlight for most of his career, keeping their lives private while supporting Knowles from the background.
Coaching moves often pull families across the country, and the Knowles family has tackled that challenge more than once, following him through stops at Cornell, Western Michigan, Ole Miss, Duke, Oklahoma State, Ohio State, Penn State, and now Tennessee.
The stability they provide has long been part of Knowles’ reputation as a methodical, composed leader. He carries that steadiness into his work, and he often points to his family as a source of that calm.
Professionally, Knowles built his name through defensive transformations. At Duke, he helped the program rise to relevance with aggressive, disciplined schemes. His move to Ohio State elevated him even further, culminating in a dominant 2024 defense that powered the Buckeyes to a national championship.
Jim Knowles Will Join Tennessee
After a single season at Penn State, Knowles and the program parted ways as the staff shifted under new leadership. The separation opened the door for one of the most notable defensive coordinator searches in the country.
Tennessee, looking to overhaul a struggling unit, moved quickly. The Volunteers identified Knowles as the top target, valuing his championship pedigree and the proven history he brings to every stop.
BREAKING: Tennessee is set to hire former Penn State and Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles as its next DC, @clowfb reports. https://t.co/m8x4CMi2bT pic.twitter.com/TdHfeibYDk
— On3 (@On3sports) December 10, 2025
Tennessee is now set to bring him in as defensive coordinator, a move that signals urgency and ambition. The Volunteers need structure, discipline, and an identity on defense. Knowles has delivered those elements everywhere he has gone.
The hire gives Tennessee a coordinator with national credibility and a family that has weathered every stage of the coaching world.
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