Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has signed a deal to turn out to be the brand new defensive coordinator at Penn State, it was introduced Monday.
Knowles has a three-year deal that may common $3.1 million per season, sources advised ESPN, which can make him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in faculty soccer. He’s believed to be the primary coordinator in faculty soccer to make a base wage of at the very least $3 million.
“Be a part of me in welcoming Jim Knowles again to his residence within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because the defensive coordinator of Penn State soccer,” Penn State head coach James Franklin mentioned in a press release. “He is a robust strategist and glorious defensive thoughts. He displays the core values our tradition of excellence is constructed upon.”
Knowles, 59, made a base wage of $2.2 million final season, and his compensation obtained near $3 million with bonuses within the wake of Ohio State’s nationwide title run. The Buckeyes prolonged a suggestion to Knowles, sources advised ESPN, that will have made him the highest-paid coordinator within the nation, forward of Michigan’s Wink Martindale and LSU’s Blake Baker, who’re each set to earn $2.5 million subsequent season.
Knowles additionally obtained curiosity from Notre Dame and Oklahoma, sources advised ESPN.
He led Ohio State to the No. 1 protection within the nation this previous season, ending first in whole protection and scoring protection at simply 12.9 factors per sport. The Buckeyes ranked second in sacks, passing touchdowns allowed per sport and opponent crimson zone rating proportion and have been No. 3 in run protection and passing yards allowed.
“I’m excited for this chance to affix Penn State soccer,” Knowles mentioned in a press release. “… I’ve at all times had a ton of respect for Coach Franklin and this system he has constructed right here. I sit up for working with this great workers and group of student-athletes and am able to get to work.”
The transfer marks a big maneuver inside the Massive Ten, as Penn State returns a large core of its Faculty Soccer Playoff staff from 2024 and ought to be thought of among the many favorites for the nationwide title subsequent season.
Knowles could have some key gamers to work with. Defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant might be linchpins, together with cornerback A.J. Harris and linebacker Tony Rojas.
The return of quarterback Drew Allar and tailbacks Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, together with a robust offensive line, would be the root of Penn State’s preseason optimism for 2025.
Knowles, who will substitute new Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen, is a veteran coordinator who labored at Duke from 2010 to 2017 and Oklahoma State from 2018 to 2021. Knowles has been at Ohio State since 2022, with this previous season’s unit representing his greatest work. Ohio State is anticipated to have eight gamers from that 2024 protection drafted, together with all the beginning line.
The Philadelphia native has had an uncommon path by way of the game, as he performed at Cornell and commenced his teaching profession on the Ivy League college within the late Eighties. He labored as Cornell’s head coach from 2004 to 2009, going 26-34, earlier than turning into the defensive coordinator at Duke.
He’s coming off robust back-to-back seasons at Ohio State, because the Buckeyes completed No. 2 nationally in scoring protection in 2023.
Ohio State might be on the hunt for a brand new coordinator. The Buckeyes will return three starters from their nationwide title protection, with all three set to be adorned within the preseason.
Security Caleb Downs earned first-team All-Massive Ten honors and might be among the many prime prospects for the 2026 NFL draft. Linebacker Sonny Types is ready to emerge as a prime prospect after profitable second-team all-conference honors, and cornerback Davison Igbinosun is a two-time honorable point out All-Massive Ten performer who’s returning with the aim of turning into a first-round decide.