Penn State made the hiring of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles official on Monday. Here's what each had to say about the move
Jim Knowles, Penn State's new defensive coordinator, brought his Penn State football history and some Philly ethos to his first meeting with the Nittany Lions. Knowles, whom Penn State hired away from Ohio State, introduced himself to the team this week, telling players and fellow coaches, "This is where I want to be."
Knowles will make Penn State's defense one of the best in the country, but his addition might help the offense too.
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.
Knowles would fill the void on Penn State’s staff left by Tom Allen, who accepted the same position with Clemson earlier this month.
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
The Nittany Lions reportedly made the former Ohio State assistant college football's highest-paid defensive coordinator.
Penn State football reportedly will make former Ohio State Buckeye Jim Knowles the highest-paid assistant coach in the nation.
Penn State sent shockwaves through the college football world in the past few days when it poached Jim Knowles away from Ohio State to be its new defensive coordinator James Franklin. News broke Sunday. Penn State made it official Monday. And Tuesday ...
Penn State has officially hired Jim Knowles away from Ohio State to be its next defensive coordinator. The news of the massive change broke Sunday and was officially announced by the university on Monday following a Board of Trustees committee meeting.
According to reports, Penn State is finalizing a deal to lure defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from Ohio State.
"Join me in welcoming Jim Knowles back to his home in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ... University has made his college football name as a standout defensive coordinator at Duke, Oklahoma State ...