Penn State Hiring Jim Knowles as Defensive Coordinator is Big Win for James Franklin
After an almost two-week search for Penn State’s new defensive coordinator after Tom Allen’s departure for Clemson, Penn State Football head coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions have hired former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles for the same position in Happy Valley.
Knowles comes to Penn State fresh off of running the best defense in the nation on the way to the Ohio State Buckeyes national championship last week. Knowles spent the past three seasons in Columbus with Ryan Day and the Buckeyes and the four years before that at Oklahoma State.
During his tenure at Ohio State, Knowles’ defenses ranked 1st (2024), 2nd (2023), and 24th (2022). Last season, Knowles’ defense ranked first in the nation in points per game allowed, yards per game allowed, points per play allowed, and red zone scoring percentage allowed. The Buckeyes also ranked second in opponent yards per rush and opponent passing yards per game.
It’s clear that Franklin and Penn State had Knowles at the top of their list, as he’ll command upwards of $3.1 million per season, according to Yahoo Sports’ Pete Hamel.
What Jim Knowles Brings Penn State Football
Franklin has often iterated a desire to have a “head coach” of the offense, defense, and special teams for the Nittany Lions.
This hiring fits James Franklin’s mold for coordinators, as Knowles spent six seasons as the head coach at his alma mater, Cornell University, before returning to the defensive coordinator role for the remainder of his career thus far.
The exact details of Knowles contract with Penn State are not known at this time, however, according to a report by Football Scoop (@FootballScoop on X), Penn State offered Knowles $3.2 million per year.
According to the report, Oklahoma was also prepared to offer $3.0 million to Knowles for the same position with the Sooners. Football Scoop also reported that Notre Dame showed interest in Knowles after Al Golden left the Fighting Irish for the NFL after the national championship game.
Per the report, any team wanting to lure Knowles away would also need to pay Knowles approximately $1.2 million buyout with the Buckeyes.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Knowles was offered an extension with the Buckeyes that would make him the highest paid coordinator in college football next season. After the national championship game, Knowles stated “I’m coaching at Ohio State.” Penn State’s announcement of Knowles signing did not come until after Ohio State’s national championship parade on Sunday.
How Jim Knowles Can Elevate Penn State’s Defense
Knowles will take over one of the top defensive units in the country next season when he gets to Happy Valley.
Under Allen in 2024, Penn State’s defense ranked 8th in total defense, 8th in scoring defense, 9th in rushing defense, and 34th in defensive turnovers.
In 2023 under Manny Diaz, Penn State ranked 3rd in total defense, 3rd in scoring defense, and 1st in rushing defense. Knowles will have no shortage of weapons to use next season, as defensive standouts Dani Dennis Sutton, Zane Durant, Zakee Wheatley, Tony Rojas, and AJ Harris all return for the Nittany Lions next season.
Knowles return to Pennsylvania is a homecoming for the 59-year-old coach, who was born in Philadelphia,
With Knowles now on board for the Nittany Lions in 2025, Penn State should continue to garner hype ahead of a pivotal season for the Nittany Lions.
After finishing in the final four of the 2024 college football playoff, losing to national runner up Notre Dame by a field goal in the Orange Bowl, Penn State is “running it back” in 2025 with a majority of the Nittany Lions playmakers opting to return to chase a national championship in 2025.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Penn State has the fifth highest odds to win the 2025 national championship, behind Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, and Georgia, at +850.
James Franklin and Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft have shown that Penn State football has the full support of the university to compete at the highest level in college football. With starting quarterback Drew Allar, star running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, and now Knowles on board in 2025, the Nittany Lions must now prove on the field that they can back up that support given to the program.
The pressure will be on James Franklin and company next season and the hype train will continue to push on full steam as next season approaches.
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