Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is drawing serious interest from multiple powerhouse programs as the coaching carousel heats up. Penn State and Notre Dame are now in contention to land Knowles, adding to Oklahoma’s ongoing pursuit, according to recent reports.
FootballScoop reveals that Penn State is prepared to offer Knowles a lucrative $3.2 million annual salary to entice him to Happy Valley. Meanwhile, Notre Dame has entered the picture following the departure of Al Golden to the NFL. Oklahoma, however, remains firmly in the mix, reportedly willing to match with a $3 million annual offer to make Knowles their next defensive coordinator.
While the situation is described as “complicated,” no clear timeline for a decision has been established.
Knowles has spent the past three seasons as the defensive mastermind at Ohio State, crafting one of the nation’s top defenses in 2024 and playing a pivotal role in the Buckeyes’ recent National Championship victory.
Renowned as one of college football’s top defensive coordinators, Knowles earned $2.2 million in 2024, ranking him third nationally among assistant coaches, behind only LSU’s Blake Baker and Michigan’s Wink Martindale.
