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Penn State football appears to have made the biggest move possible to land the new leader of its perennial Top 10 defense.
It has raided its top Big Ten rival, the recently-crowned national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, to find the latest architect of its defense, Jim Knowles — and make him the highest-paid assistant coach in college football, according to multiple reports, such as The Columbus Dispatch.
Head coach James Franklin has reportedly convinced Knowles, argubly the leading defensive mind in the game, to be his next defensive coordinator — his third in four years.
Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles walks the sideline prior to the NCAA football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-6.
Knowles, 59, just helped the Buckeyes win their first national championship in a decade, doing so after quickly reshaping and improving their talented but underperforming defense in his three seasons in Columbus.
Knowles boasted the top-ranked defense in college football in most major categories, including points per game (12.2) and yardage allowed (251.1 per game).
Knowles’ hiring expects to become official Monday. The Penn State Board of Trustees’ Committee on Equity and Human Resources, which approves high-figure university contracts, is scheduled to meet at 8 a.m. Monday on a personnel matter.
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles celebrates after winning against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Knowles would check about every coaching box possible for Franklin. He’s been a head coach (six years at alma mater Cornell), he’s a proven coordinator and playcaller at multiple programs and leagues…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/reports-penn-state-football-lures-200001941.html
Author : York Daily Record
Publish date : 2025-01-26 20:00:00
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