Already boasting the largest salary among college football assistants, Knowles' contract allows him to hit astronomical numbers

Oklahoma's search for a defensive coordinator is a month old and reportedly targeting a Sun Belt Conference defensive coordinator. Who is Nate Drieling?

After Michigan football ran, ran again, and ran some more against rival Ohio State in 2021, Ryan Day recognized that he needed to make something of a drastic change. Out was longtime OSU staffer Kerry Coombs as the defensive coordinator, and in was Oklahoma State DC Jim Knowles.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 31: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is seen prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) Getty Images

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,

In hiring Jim Knowles, Penn State followed the adage: If you can't beat them, turn them to your side. While everyone in college football is already talking about Penn State's new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, it's possible that not everyone is realizing how much his betrayal of Ohio State benefits his new club.

Ohio State has lost its defensive coordinator to a Big Ten rival. Penn State announced Monday it had hired Jim Knowles as its defensive coordinator. According to multiple reports, Knowles reached a three-year contract with an average annual salary of $3.

Penn State released a video of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles meeting with the program after his hiring.

Nicole Auerbach and Joshua Perry discuss the impact of OSU DC Jim Knowles leaving for Penn State, and why the hire "doesn't make a difference" for a Nittany Lions team that already had a strong defense.

Here’s a round-up of the latest news pertinent to Ohio State’s defensive coordinator search. Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator — and interim head coach (2022) — Jim Leonhard seems to be staying put in the NFL.

Knowles, who directed a 2024 Ohio State defense that finished No. 1 in fewest yards allowed per game (254.6) and No. 1 in fewest points allowed (12.9), should have a Nittany Lions defense that returns Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, Tony Rojas, A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley in the top 10 in 2025.