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Jim Knowles’ defense is not static and is certainly malleable to suggestions, but even a veteran coach has a breaking point with directives.
The coordinator reached his limit after three years at Ohio State, where he successfully revamped and revitalized a struggling unit into a championship caliber group in short order — but not without interference and pressures from head coach Ryan Day, who inserted himself in defensive meetings more often this season and asked for changes to be made midway through the season, sources told CBS Sports. Last week, their short marriage ended with Knowles bolting for rival Penn State. A bigger payday and more autonomy to run his scheme awaits him in State College, where he will be introduced Tuesday in a press conference.
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The departure was not a surprise for Ohio State staffers. Knowles also fielded discussions with Oklahoma and Notre Dame, and rumors of a departure for the Sooners hit a fever pitch as the Buckeyes prepared for the national championship game against the Irish. It never distracted Ohio State, particularly because Knowles, lovingly referred to as a hermit with a coach’s whistle, never relented from his habits: locking himself in his office, studying opponents’ film and developing concise game plans before emerging from behind closed doors with a plan that always seemed to wow his players.
“I always called him Batman,” Buckeyes defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau said…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/why-jim-knowles-walked-philosophical-clash-at-ohio-state-leads-to-fresh-start-historic-payday-at-penn-state/
Author : Brandon Marcello
Publish date : 2025-02-03 18:43:00
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