The Ohio State Buckeyes just secured the College Football Playoff national championship, backed by the nation’s most dominant defense. However, it appears that division rival Penn State Nittany Lions are preparing to lure away the mastermind behind that defense. According to a report from Toby Rowland of News9/NewsOn6, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has informed Penn State head coach James Franklin of his decision to leave Ohio State for the same position at Penn State. “Reliable sources confirm that barring a last-second change of heart, Jim Knowles is headed to Penn State. He has notified James Franklin that he’ll accept their offer of well over $3 million, making him the highest-paid coordinator in college football history. Knowles is from Philly,” Rowland said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Joining the Buckeyes in the 2022 season, Knowles has developed Ohio State’s defense into the most formidable unit in the nation over the past three years. This season, they were undeniably the top defense, ranking No. 1 in both yards per game and points per game allowed, all while facing six top-10 opponents during the regular season and playoff run. Interestingly, despite the remarkable success, Knowles has chosen to leave Ohio State, even after the university reportedly offered him a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football. Additionally, Knowles was notably absent during Ohio State’s celebration of their national championship victory at Ohio Stadium on Sunday afternoon, underscoring the significance of his departure.
Ultimately, this decision represents a considerable loss for Ohio State but a significant gain for Penn State.
