Jim Knowles, who recently earned accolades as the national champion defensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes, is reportedly set to join the Penn State Nittany Lions, according to Toby Rowland from Griffin Media. This move marks a significant step in Knowles’ career as he transitions to a new role in the Big Ten, reuniting with coach James Franklin.
Sources have indicated that Knowles will sign a lucrative three-year contract valued at an average of $3.1 million per season, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football history. This decision comes after Knowles was considered a strong candidate for the open defensive coordinator position at the University of Oklahoma, where Brent Venables is at the helm.
Knowles previously served as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State from 2018 to 2021, where he established himself as a formidable strategist. He is returning to his roots, hailing from Philadelphia, and is expected to make an immediate impact as the Nittany Lions aim to bolster their defensive lineup.
His hiring at Penn State follows Oklahoma’s recent hire of Ben Arbuckle from Washington State as their offensive coordinator, a strategic move to reshape their team dynamics. As the new season approaches, Oklahoma is gearing up to kick off its campaign against Illinois State on August 30, with conference matchups beginning in mid-October.
In summary, Jim Knowles’ move to Penn State reflects both the growing trend of competitive salaries in college football coaching and the intense focus on building robust defenses in the ever-evolving landscape of college sports. His return to the Big Ten could be promising for Penn State as they seek to fortify their football program under Franklin’s leadership. This hiring not only adds depth to the coaching staff but also brings a wealth of experience and success that could shape the future of the Nittany Lions.