In a surprising and exciting development, Jim Knowles, the former defensive coordinator at Ohio State, is making his way to Penn State in the same role. After leading the Buckeye defense to a national championship, where they dominated in scoring and total defense, Knowles is set to bring his proven expertise to the Nittany Lions. His defense played a key part in Ohio State title win, stifling Notre Dame offense in the championship game.
The 59-year-old coach is expected to sign a lucrative three-year deal worth $3.1 million, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the country. This move follows the departure of Tom Allen, who left Penn State to join Clemson as their defensive coordinator.
In response to the news, Penn State head coach James Franklin shared a powerful four-word message on X: a popular acronym among Nittany Lions fans, which stands for “lock the (expletive) in, showing the level of excitement and confidence surrounding Knowles arrival.
Knowles reputation for building top-tier defenses, combined with Penn State recent success finishing 7th in total defense in 2024 sets the stage for continued dominance. With a record-breaking 13-win season in 2024, and two College Football Playoff victories to boot, the Nittany Lions are primed for even greater heights under Knowles.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season will bring a thrilling matchup as Knowles returns to Ohio State in Week 10, leading his new team against his old one. This coaching shift has added an exciting layer to what promises to be another unforgettable season for Penn State.
