It seems like new Penn State DC Jim Knowles already knows where he’ll be coaching next season.
Now that the improbable happened in luring Knowles away from Ohio State to be Penn State football’s new defensive coordinator, it’s time to start making plans for what could set up to be a special season in State College.
‘You Don’t Mess Around With Jim’: Penn State Set to Hire Jim Knowles as Defensive Coordinator
Knowles, a one-time head coach at Cornell from 2004-09, ran the No. 1 defense in the nation last season at Ohio State and was a big part of its national championship.
The longtime defensive coordinator implied he would coach from the press box next season.
“That allows me to get the best vision on the action, and with the iPads now and the communication directly to the players in the helmet, I can still be very connected,” Knowles said. “And there’s a lot more time to think up there.”
A defensive coordinator can sometimes be very animated during games but Knowles has worked to control his emotions over his 36-year coaching career.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“I’ve worked hard on being emotional and challenging in practice, and coaching with an edge in practice. But in the game, that’s not my job,” Knowles said. “The best place to be to think and remain calm and stay a couple plays ahead is to be in the press box. That’s just what I’ve found for myself.
“I really try to stay centered. My job is to not cheer or react or yell. No one is going to hear me up there anyway. My job is to think and be composed.”
Knowles grew up in Philadelphia as a Penn State fan but never had any relationships to the university and didn’t have the ability to get there as a player. His family didn’t have the money to attend games, and State College felt like it was as far as California.
“Penn State for me growing up in inner-city Philly was the epitome of college football,” Knowles said. “I was never talented enough to make it to Penn State as a player, but given the opportunity to do it now as a coach, is really where I want to be to continue my career.
“I think I can help. I think I can be of service. This is the place because everything here is so close to winning it all. I’m hopeful I can help get it there.”
