It seems like new Penn State DC Jim Knowles already knows where heโll be coaching next season.
Now that the improbable happened in luring Knowles away from Ohio State to be Penn State footballโs new defensive coordinator, itโs time to start making plans for what could set up to be a special season in State College.
โYou Donโt Mess Around With Jimโ: 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.
โThat 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,โ Knowles said. โAnd thereโs a lot more time to think up there.โ
A defensive coordinator can sometimes be very animated during games but Knowles has worked to control his emotions over his 36-year coaching career.
โIโve worked hard on being emotional and challenging in practice, and coaching with an edge in practice. But in the game, thatโs not my job,โ Knowles said. โThe best place to be to think and remain calm and stay a couple plays ahead is to be in the press box. Thatโs just what Iโve found for myself.
โI 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.โ
Knowles grew up in Philadelphia as a Penn State fan but never had any relationships to the university and didnโt have the ability to get there as a player. His family didnโt have the money to attend games, and State College felt like it was as far as California.
โPenn State for me growing up in inner-city Philly was the epitome of college football,โ Knowles said. โI 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.
โI 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. Iโm hopeful I can help get it there.โ
