The hunt for Penn State’s next defensive coordinator has reached a fever pitch, with the Nittany Lions reportedly going all-in to secure Ohio State’s Jim Knowles. According to Football Scoop, Penn State is leading the charge, offering Knowles an unprecedented $3.2 million annual deal—potentially making him one of the highest-paid assistant coaches in college football history
Knowles, renowned for engineering the nation’s top defense in total yards, yards per play, and scoring, is also being pursued by Oklahoma and Notre Dame. While Oklahoma is said to be quietly optimistic, ready to offer $3 million per year, Notre Dame has expressed interest following the departure of their former coordinator, Al Golden, to the NFL.
The stakes are high, with Penn State’s monetary offer far surpassing top salaries from last season. For context, LSU’s Blake Baker topped the charts in 2024 at $2.5 million, making this potential deal for Knowles groundbreaking.
Ohio State remains confident in retaining Knowles but is reportedly beginning to question if the effort is worth the resources being poured into keeping him. Adding an intriguing twist, Knowles has personal ties to Oklahoma through his fiancé, whom he met during his tenure at Oklahoma State (2018–2021).
This aggressive pursuit speaks volumes about Penn State’s ambitions under James Franklin and athletic director Pat Kraft. They clearly see Knowles as a game-changing piece for their national title aspirations in 2025. Time will tell if their bold strategy pays off, but one thing is certain: the Nittany Lions are playing to win.
