Already boasting the largest salary among college football assistants, Knowles' contract allows him to hit astronomical numbers
Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs gave his reaction on Monday to the departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who left for Penn State.
Without defensive coordinator Jim Knowles in attendance on a day sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel he was finalizing a deal to join Penn State, Ohio State celebrated its national championship with 30,000 Buckeyes fans on Sunday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Jim Knowles has left Ohio State for Penn State. His three-year deal will make him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, sources told ESPN.
Penn State has lured Tom Knowles away from Ohio State. The Nittany Lions have hired Knowles to serve as their defensive coordinator.
However, Knowles wasn’t in attendance. About an hour later, reports surfaced that Knowles is leaving Ohio State to serve as Penn State’s next defensive coordinator. The move leaves Day searching for a replacement. Here’s who he might consider as he enters his seventh season as the Buckeyes' head coach.
Guerrieri represents the continuity option. He's a Knowles guy through and through, initially coming with him to Ohio State as a senior analyst back in 2022. After a year apart at Indiana in 2023, Knowles missed him so much that he convinced Day to bring him back to Columbus, where he spent this past season as safeties coach.
Jim Knowles is expected to take the same position at Penn State, as first reported by Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger. The two sides are finalizing a three-year deal reportedly worth $3.1 million per season, making him the first college football coordinator to earn an annual salary of at least $3 million.
The go-big hire of Ohio State's Jim Knowles signals a shift for Penn State football: Why it means so much now and later
Penn State football reportedly will make former Ohio State Buckeye Jim Knowles the highest-paid assistant coach in the nation.
Penn State football entered rarified air by stealing Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from the defending national champions.