The recent departure of Jim Knowles from Ohio State, where he had served as defensive coordinator, has taken many by surprise. Despite being offered a lucrative deal to remain with the Buckeyes — potentially making him the highest-paid assistant coach in college football — Knowles chose to leave for Penn State, where he will lead the Nittany Lions’ defense. Though his hometown is Philadelphia, the move still raises questions, especially given the significant gap between his former team’s national championship win and his departure.
While the exact reasons behind Knowles’ decision remain unclear, speculation points to potential disagreements over his defensive scheme. Regardless, Ohio State now faces the task of finding a new defensive coordinator to replace Knowles, especially as the Buckeyes will need to rebuild their defense, with eight starters set to depart in 2025.
Matt Guerrieri, Ohio State’s safeties coach and a close protege of Knowles, is a top candidate. With previous experience as a co-defensive coordinator at Indiana in 2023 and a strong endorsement from Day during the national championship celebration, Guerrieri has been recognized as a “rising star.” However, the Buckeyes should also explore external candidates to ensure they secure the best possible fit for the program’s defensive future.
For more insight into Knowles’ departure and what comes next for Ohio State, Eleven Warriors’ Andy Anders and Dan Hope delve into the situation in the latest episode of Press Coverage, available at the top of the page.
