Penn State has offered Jim Knowles a lot of money to be its defensive coordinator.
Per a report by FootballScoop, PSU has offered the Ohio State DC “a package totaling 3.2 million a year.”
Fresh off a national championship, Jim Knowles is now being pursued by multiple national powers, sources tell @JohnDBrice1 and myself at @FootballScoop.https://t.co/YjaDZ3Anzw
— Zach Barnett (@zach_barnett) January 24, 2025
This is a large sum.
For context, Tom Allen’s reported salary was 1.5 million for his lone season as Penn State’s defensive coordinator, and Allen is now reportedly making a shade under 2 million at Clemson.
How Much is Tom Allen Making at Clemson? Contract Details Revealed
So, yeah, Knowles would be the highest-paid assistant coach in Penn State history should be accept the job. But he may not accept it because there’s another suitor.
“Oklahoma has maintained quiet confidence,” FootballScoop wrote, “about its chances to hire the architect of the nation’s top total, yards per play and scoring defense. Industry sources told FootballScoop that the Sooners are prepared to offer up to $3 million a year.”
FRANKLIN IS A FAN
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Penn State head coach James Franklin is indeed a Jim Knowles fan, and has said so publicly.
“Defensively Jim Knowles, who is also a PA guy, is doing a really good job with their defense, and has now for the last couple years. Multiple, multiple scheme defense,” said Franklin. “Obviously, the last two years they’ve played really good defense. Really over the last number of years they’ve played really good defense. But I think since Coach Knowles has been there, he’s taken them to a whole ‘nother level.”
A THIRD SUITOR?!?
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 02: Head Coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus Georgia Bulldogs College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 2, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire)
Yes, there is a third suitor for Knowles. Per FootballScoop, Notre Dame, which just lost Penn State grad Al Golden to the NFL, is also interested in Knowles.
“At about 3 p.m. today,” one industry source told FootballScoop, “he had (Ryan) Day, (James) Franklin, (Brent) Venables and (Marcus) Freeman pissed off at him.”
We will see what happens.
Penn State opens the 2025 season Saturday, Aug. 30 against Nevada at Beaver Stadium.
