Penn State’s search for a new defensive coordinator has reportedly come to a thrilling conclusion, as the Nittany Lions have landed a massive prize: Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles. This move signals Penn State’s ambition to elevate its program to new heights, and Knowles’ track record suggests he’s the perfect candidate to help them achieve that goal.
Knowles, who has been Ohio State’s defensive coordinator since the 2022 season, arrived in Columbus after a highly successful four-year stint at Oklahoma State. He was brought in to overhaul a Buckeyes defense that had struggled under Kerry Coombs, dropping to No. 43 in yards-per-play allowed and No. 38 in points-per-game allowed during Coombs’ tenure. While the turnaround wasn’t immediate, Knowles steadily improved the unit. By 2022, Ohio State’s defense climbed to No. 37 in yards-per-play allowed and No. 24 in points-per-game allowed. The real transformation came in 2023 and 2024, when the Buckeyes emerged as one of the nation’s most dominant defenses, finishing No. 3 in yards-per-play allowed and No. 2 in points-per-game allowed in 2023, and then securing the No. 1 spot in both categories in 2024.
Now, Knowles heads to Happy Valley with a similar mission: to transform Penn State’s defense into the best in the country. Fortunately, he inherits a unit that’s already in strong shape. The Nittany Lions’ defense was impressive in 2024, finishing No. 6 in yards-per-play allowed and No. 8 in points-per-game allowed. With key players like Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, Tony Rojas, Dom DeLuca, AJ Harris, Zakee Wheatley, Zion Tracy, and others returning, Knowles has a solid foundation to build upon. While the leap from “very good” to “elite” is no small feat, Knowles has proven he’s capable of taking defenses to the next level.
This hire is a bold statement from Penn State. Back in 2018, head coach James Franklin declared his intention to take the program from “great” to “elite.” While that journey is still ongoing, the addition of Knowles is a clear indication that Penn State is serious about competing at the highest level. By poaching the architect of Ohio State’s dominant defense—a program that has been a thorn in Penn State’s side throughout Franklin’s tenure—and making him the highest-paid assistant in college football, the Nittany Lions are sending a message: they’re all-in for a championship run in 2025 and beyond.
Credit goes to James Franklin and athletic director Pat Kraft for pulling off such a high-profile hire. This move not only strengthens Penn State’s defense but also underscores the program’s commitment to becoming a true powerhouse in college football. The 2025 season can’t come soon enough for Nittany Lions fans, as the arrival of Jim Knowles has set the stage for what could be a transformative era in Happy Valley.
