STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college football world, one of the nation’s most respected defensive minds, Jim Knowles, has departed national champion Ohio State to become the new defensive coordinator at Penn State. The stunning shift marks one of the biggest off-field victories for the Nittany Lions in recent memory — and it all started with a 5:06 a.m. phone call.
On January 22, just two days after Ohio State capped off its 2024 season with a College Football Playoff national championship win over Notre Dame, Penn State head coach James Franklin was already back on the recruiting trail in Philadelphia. As he worked to shape the future of his roster, his phone rang with an unexpected call — it was Jim Knowles.
“To be honest with you,” Franklin admitted, “I didn’t know how serious it was, but it went pretty quickly from that point on.”
That phone call would kick off a rapid and remarkable hiring process that has not only altered the dynamics within the Big Ten but also signaled Penn State’s increasing ambition to compete with — and beat — the elite programs in college football.
Knowles, 60, brings a résumé that few in the country can match. Under his leadership, Ohio State’s defense in 2024 was nothing short of dominant. The Buckeyes led the nation in multiple defensive categories, including points allowed per game (12.9), total yards allowed (255 per game), yards per play (4.2), and red zone touchdown percentage (42%). His schematic precision and ability to develop talent helped power Ohio State to its first national championship in nearly a decade.
So why leave Columbus?
While Knowles has yet to speak in depth about the motives behind his move, it’s clear Penn State’s program and potential presented an enticing new challenge. Franklin’s persuasive pitch — combined with the opportunity to build something special in State College — was enough to lure him away from a program with nearly unmatched resources and recent success.
The significance of this move for Penn State cannot be overstated. Since 2012, Ohio State has gone 12-1 against the Nittany Lions, asserting consistent dominance in the rivalry. But in landing Knowles, Franklin scored a major win — not on the field, but in the coaching carousel. Few expected a coordinator of Knowles’ caliber, especially fresh off a national title, to make such a dramatic lateral move within the conference.
In a rapidly shifting college football landscape where conference power balances are constantly evolving, this hire is a bold statement. It signals that Penn State is no longer content playing second fiddle. With Knowles now leading the defense, the Nittany Lions are clearly gearing up to disrupt the status quo.
As Penn State prepares for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on how Knowles reshapes the defense — and how his presence may finally tip the scales in a rivalry that has long favored Ohio State.
