Penn State is courting Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles but OSU is prepared to make Knowles the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football.
Per a report by Andy Staples of On3Sports, Ohio State has made Knowles “an offer that would make him the highest paid DC in the country.”
Ohio State is making an offer that would make Jim Knowles the highest paid DC in college football.
Given the level of current openings, he's going to wind up highest paid no matter what he chooses.https://t.co/upFTMZfvoR
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) January 25, 2025
The article also affirmed that Knowles is looking at other schools.
Those schools are Oklahoma, Notre Dame and, yes, indeed, Penn State. Both Oklahoma and Penn State are prepared to offer Knowles a ton of money, as well. Per a report by FootballScoop, Penn State offered Knowles $3.2 million and Oklahoma offered him $3 million. As for Notre Dame, well, from what Nittany Sports Now has been told and what’s been reported elsewhere, it appears ND is the least likely of the four to land Knowles.
HE’LL GET HIS MONEY
COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 27: Jim Knowles defensive coordinator of the Ohio State Buckeyes addresses members of the media during a press conference held at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus, Ohio on August 27, 2024 (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire)
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Knowles is going to get his money and be the highest-paid DC not just in the country, but in college football history per On3. Staples reported that the highest-paid DC in the country for 2024 was Blake Baker, who make $2.5 million at LSU Michigan DC Wink Martindale would go up to $2.5 million in 2025. Knowles currently makes $2.2 million at Ohio State.
WHATEVER HAPPENS IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN SOON
COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 15: Ohio State Buckeyes Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach Jim Knowles during the LiFEsports Spring Game, presented by Union Home Mortgage at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on April 15, 2023. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire)
A source told Nittany Sports Now that whatever Knowles decides is expected to happen soon. The exact date isn’t known. But it could happen by the end of the weekend.
Ohio State’s championship parade is scheduled for Sunday. Whether or not that will impact the timing of Knowles’ decision is unknown.
