Mailbox: Is Jim Knowles just a ‘gunslinger’, or is there more to him leaving Ohio State?

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.

On Ohio State football

To the editor: Ages ago — from 1957 to 1963 — one of the Westerns on TV as I was growing up was called “Have Gun – Will Travel.” It featured a “gentleman gunslinger/investigator” named Paladin, who roamed the badlands working as a mercenary for hire. He would help defenseless people living in the Wild West solve their problems — which often meant killing bad guys.

Jim Knowles strikes me as a modern-day Paladin. Nobody, of course, is harmed in his travels from campus to campus, serving as one of the most brilliant defensive coaches in memory. But as a college football fan and observer, I was left wondering why he made the lateral move to Penn State. I doubt it was about mere money − Ohio State would have written a check for any amount he wanted. Getting closer to his sweet home, Philadelphia? Maybe, I guess. Was he insulted after the Oregon game in October, when Ryan Day said the defense needed to improve? Eh, Knowles doesn’t strike me as that sort of buttercup.

In the end, perhaps he just enjoys fixing things that are broken — like the trouble PSU has when playing OSU. To that, I simply say … don’t “break a leg,” coach Knowles. Literally or figuratively! Otherwise, best wishes. And thank you.

John Meyer, Worthington

To John: Nobody in the Ohio State program is talking, but there’s something very odd about Knowles’ departure. Leaving to be a head coach would make sense. Leaving for the same position at a lesser rival sure smells like there is something he doesn’t like about Ohio State and the way he was treated.

Jim Knowles signed a contract with Penn State that reportedly will pay him $3.1 million per year.

Dear Mr. White: Thank you for your response to James’…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mailbox-jim-knowles-just-gunslinger-103044623.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2025-02-02 10:30:00

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