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After losing defensive coordinator Tom Allen to the Clemson Tigers, Penn State coach James Franklin needed to find a replacement capable of keeping the defense at a championship level. It’s safe to say he accomplished that goal. Ohio State DC Jim Knowles helped make the Buckeyes defense one of the best in the country this season, and he will now try and do the same in Happy Valley after signing a three-year contract with Penn State.
The deal is for $3.1 million per season, making him the highest-paid coordinator in college football. Now with Knowles and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, Penn State has two highly successful coordinators who should be able to elevate the elite talent that they bring in year after year.
It also leaves no excuses for Franklin to finally get over the hump and bring home Penn State’s first National Championship since 1986. They already were one game away from playing for a title this season and will retain most of their key players for 2025. Quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton all chose to return despite NFL interest.
That combined with plenty of young players ready to step into bigger roles, and Franklin knows the time is now to change the perception of his career in Happy Valley. Big games have been his kryptonite, particularly against conference opponents. Prying the coordinator away from perhaps his biggest nemesis was a bold and potentially key move that will help alleviate that issue.
Knowles’ defense was admittedly not always great in tough games, but their playoff run and overall season this year highlighted what he is capable of with the right talent. Few teams possess the amount of athletes that Penn State routinely has waiting for their opportunity to play, so talent won’t be an issue.
Adding a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/hiring-jim-knowles-leaves-no-010015329.html
Author : Nittany Lions Wire
Publish date : 2025-01-27 01:00:00
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