Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles speaks during Media Day for the College Football Playoff national championship against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on Jan. 18, 2025.
Penn State Football made a shocking move last month when they stole defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Ohio State and hired him in the same role.
Many believed that Knowles’ move from Ohio State, where he had just won a national championship, to Penn State was a downgrade, but that might not be true.
The Buckeyes are losing 9 of all 11 defensive starters, and many of the Nittany Lions‘ key defensive players are returning to school.
Knowles truly understands the key to winning a title, and with his ability to lead a fantastic defense, Penn State could win it all next season.
Penn State’s Pat Kraft Raves About Jim Knowles Hiring
Penn State’s athletic director Pat Kraft spoke on Monday and praised his new defensive coordinator.
“For me, it was a no-brainer for Jim Knowles,” Kraft told reporters.
After Tom Allen left for Clemson in mid-January, speculation arose that Penn State might not find a similarly talented coordinator.
“I believe you have to have strong leaders,” Kraft said. “In the offensive and defensive rooms, to give you the best chance to succeed. And, we don’t make those decisions lightly. I think he’s already paid off. We’re going to give ourselves the best chance to win.”
It’s hard to find a new coordinator in the middle of January, but hiring Knowles, who might be the best defensive mind in the sport who isn’t a head coach, was a move nobody saw coming.
The Nittany Lions program isn’t messing around this season, and it will be neat to see how the defense does next year.
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