The last few days has produced plenty of intrigue regarding the future of Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Knowles has been the Buckeyes’ DC the last two years and was instrumental in helping the program win the national championship this season. As a result, the 59-year-old assistant is a hot commodity, with reports indicating Oklahoma and Penn State were making strong pushes to poach him, and Notre Dame had reached out as well.
On Saturday, The Columbus Dispatch reported that Ohio State had offered Knowles a contract making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football.
However, Oklahoma announcer and radio host Toby Rowland reported Sunday afternoon that Knowles is leaning toward Happy Valley.
“Reliable sources confirm that barring last second change of heart, Jim Knowles is headed to Penn State,” Rowland tweeted. “He has notified James Franklin that he’ll accept their offer of well over $3 million to be highest paid coordinator in college football history. Knowles is from Philly.”
Ohio State is hosting its national championship celebration this afternoon, with head coach Ryan Day giving Knowles a shoutout while addressing the crowd.
However, when asked about Knowles’ contract, AD Ross Bjork played it close to the vest.
“Today is a day to celebrate but these things have a way of working themselves out,” Bjork said, via ABC6’s Dave Holmes.
If the Nittany Lions are able to hire Knowles away from Ohio State, it would obviously be a major coup and add a new wrinkle to the rivalry between the two programs. Penn State has not beaten the Buckeyes on the field since 2016.
Prior to arriving at Ohio State, Knowles served as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State from 2018-21 and Duke from 2010-17. He was also the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan in 2001-02 and had a six-year stint as head coach at Cornell from 2004-09.
Related: 2 College Football Playoff Teams Reportedly Trying To Hire Ohio State’s Jim Knowles