© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Penn State introduced new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to the staff this week after prying him away from Ohio State. There appears to be much drama surrounding that move.
The obvious outrage in Columbus stems from Knowles’ departure for a league rival. On Monday, his camp attempted to give his side of the story.
Knowles spearheaded a stingy Buckeyes defense that led the nation in scoring at just 12.9 points per game. The bunch helped the program secure a national title with a dominant run through the College Football Playoff.
Soon after that championship win, though, whispers of the coach’s exit surfaced. Knowles was tied to both Penn State and Oklahoma before spurning the Sooners for a lucrative offer from the Nittany Lions.
Knowles has ties to both areas. His fiancée reportedly lives in Oklahoma, and he’d previously coached at rival Oklahoma State. He’s also a Philadelphia native. In the end, he spurned his fiancée to return home to Pennsylvania.
Penn State offered a deal worth more than $9 million across three seasons, making him the highest paid coordinator in the sport. Ohio State is said to have countered, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in Columbus.
The Buckeyes weren’t happy to see Knowles walk away given that counter. After learning of his plan to leave, they shut him out of the championship celebration.
Ohio State DC Jim Knowles was asked by school not to attend Buckeyes’ national title celebration while he deliberated his options, source said. Knowles’ representation tried to reach deal w/OSU week before title game & immediately after, but eventual offer was “well below” the…
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 27, 2025
College football insider Brett McMurphy says the school told Jim Knowles not to attend the postseason parade with the sides unable to reach a deal. Some believe his source was the defensive coordinator’s fiancée, herself.
A screenshot of a DM between an Ohio State fan account and Andi Fudickar Kennedy (allegedly) is now floating around social media. That post would seem to confirm what McMurphy reported on Monday morning.
How much truth there is to that response is unclear. It does support the narrative that Knowles was told not to support his players for their on-field accomplishments.
Rumors of unhappiness with the rest of the staff have been a talking point in his decision making. Ohio State players seemed blindsided by the move.
Report after report is coming out that Jim Knowles is making a lateral move to Penn State.
The players don’t seemed thrilled pic.twitter.com/YwJqUVbdCZ
— Ohio State Football Fan Page (@OhioStFootball) January 26, 2025
The entire situation is messy. The traitorous exit won’t be forgotten by the Buckeyes. Penn State is set to visit Ohio Stadium in the 2025 season. Jim Knowles likely won’t receive a warm welcome despite his being a part of the national championship run.