It’s never a good sign when a key figure is missing from a national championship celebration parade. That’s exactly what happened in Columbus, Ohio, when Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was absent from the Sunday festivities. He had other matters to attend to.
On Monday, Penn State announced that Knowles would be replacing former defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who has moved to Clemson. Knowles signed a three-year contract reportedly worth $3 million per year, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the country.
Knowles value was evident in the way Ohio State defense performed in 2024, leading the nation in both fewest points and yards allowed. This continues a successful career that includes previous coaching stints at Duke and Oklahoma State. At 59, Knowles still has plenty of coaching left in him and just increased his salary by nearly $1 million annually.
A couple of things to note: First, no matter who Ohio State hires to replace Knowles, it will be hard to imagine that they will bring the same level of expertise and knowledge of the Buckeyes defense. This should bring a smile to Illinois coach Bret Bielema, as his team will face Ohio State on Oct. 11. Second, the Nov. 1 matchup between Penn State and Ohio State just became even more exciting. Both teams could be ranked highly in the AP poll and competing for a top seed in the College Football Playoff, making for an intriguing showdown. It’ll be interesting to see whether the Buckeyes will hand Knowles his 2024 championship ring before the game or simply mail it to him.
