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Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is expected to accept an opening at Big Ten rival Penn State after his national championship win. In doing so, he spurned both an SEC suitor and his fiancée.
The move represents a return home for the coach, who hails from Philadelphia. He’s reportedly prioritizing his own ties over those of his significant other.
Whispers of a potential departure from the Buckeyes surfaced soon after the team’s title win. There were a handful of schools making a run at his services.
Oklahoma was considered a legitimate threat for a few different reasons. Firstly, Knowles has ties to the area having previously coached at Oklahoma State. His fiancée also supposedly lives somewhere in the Sooner State.
“For weeks, various rumors swirled that Knowles would be interested in the Sooners’ defensive coordinator vacancy, as his fiancée reportedly lives in Oklahoma.”
The Sooners made a push to land the defensive coordinator, but a monster offer from Penn State proved too much to overcome. He’s expected to join the Nittany Lions’ staff in 2025.
Reliable sources confirm that barring last second change of heart, Jim Knowles is headed to Penn State. He has notified James Franklin that he’ll accept their offer of well over $3 million to be highest paid coordinator in college football history. Knowles is from Philly.
Pete Thamel reports that he’ll sign a three-year deal averaging $3.1 million per season. It will make him the highest-paid coordinator in the sport.
Ohio State is said to have extended a similar offer, though it’s not known what that final number settled at. Rather than stay put, he’s opted to join a league rival.
Jim Knowles will return to his home state of Pennsylvania this offseason. His fiancée might have to move on from her current living situation as a result.