It looks like Penn State has its man at defensive coordinator, and his name is Jim Knowles.
In a move that will send shockwaves through college football, Nittany Sports Now can confirm that Knowles has agreed to leave the same position at Ohio State and come to Happy Valley.
Toby Rowland, the radio play-by-play man for Oklahoma, which had been linked to Knowles, reported that โbarring last second change of heart, Jim Knowles is headed to Penn State. He has notified James Franklin that heโll accept their offer of well over $3 million to be highest paid coordinator in college football history.โ
Reliable sources confirm that barring last second change of heart, Jim Knowles is headed to Penn State. He has notified James Franklin that heโll accept their offer of well over $3 million to be highest paid coordinator in college football history. Knowles is from Philly.
— Toby Rowland (@TRowOU) January 26, 2025
This type of move has never been done in Penn State history.
Penn State has made โsplash hiresโ at defensive coordinator before, with the best examples being the last two in Tom Allen and Manny Diaz. But Penn State has never hired a coordinator away from a conference rival such as Ohio State, let alone days after that conference rival won a national championship.
A LONGTIME TARGET
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 31: Penn State head coach James Franklin interacts with his team after the victory during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal playoff game against the Boise State Broncos on Tuesday December 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire)
Penn State coach James Franklin has been interested in having Jim Knowles on his staff for a while.
Hereโs what Franklin had to say about him during a past press conference.
โDefensively 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,โ said Franklin. โObviously, the last two years theyโve played really good defense. Really over the last number of years theyโve played really good defense. But I think since Coach Knowles has been there, heโs taken them to a whole โnother level.โ
WHAT ARE THE TERMS?
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)
So how much is Knowles going to make at Penn State? Nittany Sports Now can confirm Rowlandโs report that itโs well over $3 million, which would make him the highest paid assistant coach in the country.
Penn State is scheduled to open the 2025 season Aug. 30 against Nevada at Beaver Stadium.
