From Hottest Hire to Question Mark: Should Penn State Bring Jim Knowles Back Next Season?
This January, Penn State Football shocked the entire college football world. Head coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions hired former Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles.
This came as such as shock because Knowles was highly touted as one of, if not, the best Defensive Coordinator in the entire country. To many people, this was a move that signalled Penn State is for real. They are not playing around. They can throw money around with the best of them.
Fast forward about 10 months to right now.
Penn State is 3-4, Franklin has been fired, and they are currently having one of the worst years as a defense in recent memory. Through the season’s first seven games, the Nittany Lions have yet to beat a Power 4 opponent, and may go the entire season without doing so.
On average, the Nittany Lions are surrendering nearly 20 points per game, 303 yards of offense, and have not shown up in critical moments.
The Worst Defense in Years
Through 7 games, this Jim Knowles-led defense has given up nearly 20 points per game.
That is the worst defense James Franklin has had in his tenure since the nightmare 2020 season.
Tom Allen’s defense was significantly better last season. Manny Diaz’s defense was unquestionably better. Brent Pry’s defense had some better years, and some worse years.
This begs the question: How did the hottest coordinator’s defense become so pedestrian?
One explanation is a talent difference.
Losing star Linebacker Tony Rojas has significantly hurt Penn State’s defense.
On top of that, it becomes more and more clear that there is no Abdul Carter-esque game wrecker on this defense.
But it still doesn’t add up. The defense isn’t performing against teams with much worse talent like Northwestern, Iowa, and UCLA.
Subscribe to NittanyCentral’s FREE Newsletter Today!
The Complexity of Jim Knowles’ Defense
Prior to Penn State, Knowles had experience at Oklahoma State and Ohio State as Defensive Coordinator.
There were similarities in what year one looked like at both of Knowles previous stops.
In year one at Oklahoma State, Knowles defense allowed 33 points per game. In year two, that number cut down to 28 and in year 3 under Knowles it was down to 23 points per game. Each year the Cowboy’s defense took significant steps forward. At the end of Knowles time at Oklahoma State in 2021, he had the Cowboys defense top 10 in nearly every category.
Similarly, at Ohio State, the Buckeyes gave up 21 points per game under Knowles in year one. However, in year 2 the defense improved drastically and only gave up 11 points per game.
In year 3, Knowles defense gave up 12 points per game and helped lead the Buckeyes to a National Championship.
It is widely reported that Knowles’ system is uber complex. That could be a good explanation for why his first year at nearly every stop always struggles so much.
This year, some Penn State defenders have stated their need to attend defensive staff meetings to get a better grasp on the system.
“When I don’t understand something,” Penn State safety King Mack recently told reporters. “I’m gonna figure out a way to understand it… Once I started going to all the D-staff meetings and seeing what he wants, it made everything easier for me.”
Furthermore, interim Head Coach Terry Smith called the defense “very complicated” and said it was like “going to math class.”
Buy The Newest Penn State Gear From Fanatics | Shop Penn State Merchandise on Amazon
Should Jim Knowles Have a Job in Happy Valley Next Year?
With how poorly the defense has performed relative to expectations, it’s fair to ask if Knowles is the right defensive coordinator going forward.
If a coordinator’s system is too complicated to learn it in one season, is the coordinator really worth it?
The answer going forward for Penn State is yes.
Yes it is worth it.
Obviously, this season has failed to meet expectations on defense for the Nittany Lions, but Jim Knowles should still be the Defensive Coordinator next year.
Knowles’ track record shows that he is a proven coordinator and will right the ship. Plus, Penn State has tied up $3 million in him, so giving him a longer leash may be a necessity.
While this season has been a letdown defensively, Jim Knowles should be given another year to call the defense for whoever the new Penn State Head Coach is.
Purdy was born and raised in central Ohio and served for four years writing for his high school's newsletter. Currently studying Biblical Studies at Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania, Ian has been a lifelong Nittany Lion fan.
- From Hottest Hire to Question Mark: Should Penn State Bring Jim Knowles Back Next Season? - October 23, 2025
- Which True Freshman is Making the Biggest Impact for the Nittany Lions through 6 Games? - October 22, 2025
- Penn State Football Coaching Search: 3 Assistants the Next Head Coach Must Keep on Staff - October 21, 2025