© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles didn’t exactly leave Columbus on the best of terms.
Sure, Knowles helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship last season. But he then departed the program to become the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the country for Penn State.
According to an alleged DM from Knowles’ fiancee, the Buckeyes would not allow him to attend the team’s national title celebration if he did not sign a contract extension. And they also refused to match the $3.1 million offer that the Nittany Lions put on the table.
After refusing to sign the offer, Ohio State allegedly locked Knowles out of its football facility. So, it’s safe to say that there is no love lost between the two sides.
With the benefit of hindsight, it’s safe to say that Knowles’ move to Penn State has backfired. The Nittany Lions are 3-5 after getting blown out, 38-14, at the hands of his former team on Saturday.
Unsurprisingly, the Buckeyes spared no quarter for Knowles during the embarrassing loss.
College football is unmatched
They showed Jim Knowles – and fans started booing.
They then showed Matt Patricia and fans cheered
They went back and forth for a while. pic.twitter.com/ZHAfARMkvM
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) November 1, 2025
According to local reporter Adam King, Ohio State routinely showed a miserable-looking Knowles on the in-stadium video board. Game operators then switched to a video of current Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who looked far happier.
Fans routinely booed and jeered Knowles while cheering Patricia.
Unfortunately for Knowles, he has nobody to blame but himself.