Penn State has its man at defensive coordinator.
Per Nittany Sports Now and multiple other reports, Jim Knowles will be the next DC at Penn State.
This is an unprecedented hour in PSU football history.
Penn State has made “splash hires” at defensive coordinator before. The team’s two most recent defensive coordinators, Tom Allen and Manny Diaz, were both Power Five head coaches. But to poach a defensive coordinator from a Big Ten rival in Ohio State right after it had won a national title is unchartered territory for PSU before or during the James Franklin era.
Here’s how the people of social media reacted to the news.
— PhilRunsPgh262 (@PAG162) January 26, 2025
Natty or bust
— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) January 26, 2025
Unreal!!!
— Brushfire (@Brushfire_Pat) January 26, 2025
Jim Knowles has accepted the defensive coordinator job at Penn State, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Knowles led the way as Ohio State ranked No. 1 nationally this year in scoring defense and was a key figure in the Buckeyes’ run to a national title.… pic.twitter.com/oecVr58Y9l
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 26, 2025
Big move here
— David Soderquist (@HightopDave) January 26, 2025
He also knows Penn State’s greatest offensive weaknesses and should provide intel on how to turn them into strengths.
— Mechengineer (@Mechengineer18) January 26, 2025
I'm excited because it could bring Zahir Mathis also here in a couple days. That would be huge also.
— Brian Klick (@klickheelsbri) January 26, 2025
LTFI
— Robb Brown (@RobbCarGuy) January 26, 2025
I can’t fucking believe it!
— Penn State Harvey (@pghjoker) January 26, 2025
Thank you to Jim Knowles for leading the best defense in the country to a National Championship.
You are now completely DEAD TO ME. See you November 1st pic.twitter.com/P4pAp1CuMS
— Ohio’s Tate (@BarstoolTate) January 26, 2025
Lol winning a championship is the best. You can just make shit up about having the best defense and nobody can really say anything.
— Gaffey (@Colossal_Joe) January 26, 2025
Maybe your Buckeyes should’ve given him the bag??
— Chase (@chaseshake) January 26, 2025
I got no issue with people yelling about PSU being a downgrade for Jim Knowles. It’s actually true. For now.
The entire point of making a move like this for Penn State is to elevate the program to that level. More moves will be needed, but they are locked in on upping the status…
— Mark (@TheYinzerLion) January 26, 2025
JIM KNOWLES GET READY TO LEARN LTFI BUDDY pic.twitter.com/CztE7SCwxW
— Caroline (@_supcaroline) January 26, 2025
Super Gremlin😢 pic.twitter.com/EweZPHfctw
— Jermaine Mathews Jr (@Jr2Maine) January 26, 2025
Jim Knowles please bring one of them WRs with you.
— Dear Old State (@_DearOldState) January 26, 2025
Jim Knowles is an unreal hire for Penn State, but it means much more than just getting an elite defensive coordinator
This is a program that’s FINALLY investing the money. They’re going all in on winning a national championship. And to take him away from OSU is so poetic #WeAre
— Connor Griffin (@RealCGriff) January 26, 2025
