Ohio State would not have won the national championship this season without Jim Knowles.
Knowles, 59, has been the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator since 2022. This year, he helped the OSU defense become one of the best units in the country, and the group was impressive throughout the Buckeyes’ four-game run in the College Football Playoff. Even before Monday night’s national championship game though, Knowles was the subject of rumors linking him to the University of Oklahoma.
“Just trying to beat Notre Dame,” Knowles told reporters when asked about the whispers.
Well, the talk has not died down. Rather, it only intensified on Wednesday when Rivals.com’s Oklahoma site accidentally released a pre-recorded video breaking down the Knowles hire, even though it is not official yet.
“Yes, there was a video that was not supposed to see the light of day — at least not when it did,” said the site’s co-publisher Parker Thune. “YouTube has a viewability loophole for unlisted videos that we have only now discovered.”
Knowles previously served as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State from 2018-21 before making the move to Columbus.
On social media, Knowles’ future is being widely discussed by Ohio State and Oklahoma fans alike.
Former longtime college football beat writer Mike Wachsman said he ultimately expects “Jim Knowles to get a raise, though the pull of Oklahoma appears to be real.
“I’m convinced that if Jim Knowles joins Brent Venables, OU will have a top 5 defense next year with the current personnel,” an optimistic Oklahoma fan said. “I’m becoming more convinced that OU has a great chance to win 9 games next year with Mateer and BA. After all, this is OKLAHOMA. Blue blood always rises.”
“Tired: Jim Knowles is obviously going to Oklahoma.Wired: Jim Knowles has accepted a new job, but it’s with Penn State,” another person added.
“Jim Knowles can’t possibly leave Caleb Downs and Ohio State to be DC for nobody down in Oklahoma. From the BIG 10 to the SEC? That’s like the VP of the United States deciding to go work for Canada. Doesn’t compute. Knowles is a God at Ohio State, winning championships,” an Ohio State fan said.
Whatever Knowles’ plans are, he likely has to let them be known soon.
If the leaves Ohio State, it will be a sizable blow, though Ryan Day should be able to attract a quality replacement.
Stay tuned.
Related: Jim Knowles Had 6-Word Response When Asked If He’s Leaving Ohio State