How much will Ohio State losing three key assistants help Penn State?
The gap between the two Big Ten powers is perhaps more narrow now than it’s been in years.
Yes, Penn State hasn’t beaten Ohio State in almost a decade and, yes, Ohio State was better than Penn State both head to head (20-13 win at Beaver Stadium Nov. 2) and overall (Ohio State won the national title, meaning they were better than, well, everybody.)
But Penn State is right there with Ohio State. For the first time in the College Football Playoff era, which started 2014, Penn State made the final four this past season. PSU came within four points of beating Notre Dame, which would have put it in the national title game against Ohio State.
Penn State Drops Orange Bowl to Notre Dame in Heartbreaking Fashion
Now, Penn State has retained most of its key players, and Ohio State has lost three of its key assistants, including its defensive and offensive coordinators.
What do those losses mean for Ohio State? Let’s break it down.
JIM KNOWLES, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Graphic by Penn State Athletics: Jim Knowles
Penn State fans know all about Knowles at this point, so we’ll keep this one short. PSU paid Knowles more than $3 million to leave the national champs and join its crew.
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Considering Knowles ran the No. 1 total defense in the country his last season at Ohio State, it’s probably safe to say he’s good at his job. We’ll see what he’ll bring to Penn State but he won’t be easy for Ohio State to replace.
CHIP KELLY, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Chip Kelly of the Ohio State Buckeyes before the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Oregon Ducks College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2025, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)
Kelly, one of the most respected offensive minds in college football, left Ohio State after one season. He’s returning to the NFL— where he was a head coach for four seasons— to run the Raiders’ offense and make a lot of money to do it. So Ohio State needs a new OC. A good one could be Brian Harsin, Ohio State’s receivers who have made that room the best in the land.
JUSTIN FRYE, OFFENSIVE LINE COACH

ATLANTA, GA Ð DECEMBER 31: Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye talks with his players during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl college football playoff game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Georgia Bulldogs on December 31st, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)
The departure of Justin Frye didn’t get as much attention as Knowles or Kelly leaving Ohio State. But it’s still an important one. The NFL— Arizona, specifically— wanted Frye to be coaching offensive linemen there.
Patrick Weider of MikeFarrellSports.com described Frye’s impact this way:
My lasting thought on Justin Frye is how he was able to overcome the loss of starting left tackle Josh Simmons and starting center Seth McLaughlin. He was able to move left guard Donovan Jackson to left tackle and the offense never missed a beat. He also put Carson Hinzman in at center for McLaughlin and he played well. Without his coaching ability, Ohio State would not have gone on the amazing four-game College Football Playoffs run to win a National Title. He lost two offensive linemen and was able to develop multiple starters to help save the season. He also was able to develop left tackle Paris Johnson into a first-round offensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft. He also should be given credit for helping Josh Simmons develop into a consistent left tackle. He transferred in from San Diego State a few seasons ago and was playing his best football until a season-ending injury against Oregon. Frye is a good developer of offensive linemen and when Ohio State faced adversity this season they rose to the occasion to play great football.
Penn State plays Ohio State in Columbus Nov. 1.
