National Championship-winning defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has officially left Ohio State to take over as Penn State’s defensive coordinator, less than a week after helping the Buckeyes capture the national title.
Knowles now becomes the highest-paid coordinator in college football, signing a contract worth over $3 million to join Penn State.
For those wondering why Knowles would make the switch so soon after winning a national championship, money likely played a significant role in his decision.
What Jim Knowles Brings to Penn State
While Penn State had a fantastic defense last year, they lost their own defensive coordinator, Tom Allen, to Clemson and were desperate for a replacement. This move solidifies Penn State’s 2025 coaching staff and should make their defense as good, if not better, than last season.
Knowles is an elite defensive mind with a long and accomplished coaching career. He was the architect behind Ohio State’s championship-winning defense last season and has a track record of success at multiple programs.
Knowles began his coaching career at Cornell as a defensive line coach before moving up the ranks at Western Michigan and Ole Miss. He returned to Cornell as head coach in 2004, then transitioned to Duke as defensive coordinator in 2009. By 2018, he took over as Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator, transforming their defense into one of the nation’s best.
In 2021, Knowles left Oklahoma State for Ohio State, where he consistently produced top-tier defenses—especially in 2024.
This past season, Knowles led Ohio State to the No. 1 scoring defense in the country, allowing just 12.2 points per game—a notable improvement over Penn State’s 16.5 points allowed per game. His defense also gave up a nation-best 251.1 yards per game, further proving his ability to shut down opposing offenses.
Knowles specializes in suffocating teams on first downs, consistently putting opponents behind schedule. His run defense is among the best in college football, but his pass defense is equally dominant. In 2024, Ohio State allowed just 6.7 air yards per pass attempt, the best mark in the nation.
Overall, this is a slam-dunk hire for Penn State, and the Nittany Lions can expect to field a top-tier defense next season under Knowles’ leadership.
Does This Move Make Penn State a True Contender?
Penn State has already had major offseason announcements, with Drew Allar, Kaytron Allen, and Nick Singleton all returning to lead the offense next season—a unit that performed well in 2024.
KEEP READING: List of FBS College Football National Champions by Year
The only real question mark for the Nittany Lions was their defensive coordinator vacancy, and this hire erases any doubts.
With Knowles running the defense, Penn State is poised for a return to the College Football Playoff next season—and could be a serious national championship contender in 2025.
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