STATE COLLEGE, Pa. โ Penn State has successfully brought Jim Knowles on board as their new defensive coordinator, a move announced on Monday. Knowles previously held the same position with Ohio State, where he contributed to the teamโs success over the past three seasons, culminating in a national championship title.
Knowles takes over from Tom Allen, who departed for a similar role at Clemson following Penn Stateโs defeat against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals. During Knowlesโ time at Ohio State, the teamโs defense was recognized as the best in the nation in 2024, as they limited opponents to an average of only 254 yards per game while achieving a record of 14-2, marking the programโs second national championship within the playoff era.
Although Penn State is set to lose several key players from a defense that ranked seventh in the FBS for yards allowedโmost notably the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Abdul Carter, who is moving on to the NFLโthey will retain several promising talents. Among those returning are defensive linemen Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton, linebacker Tony Rojas, and cornerback A.J. Harris.
James Franklin, head coach of Penn State, praised Knowles, referring to him as โa strong strategist and excellent defensive mind.โ This hire represents a sort of homecoming for Knowles, who hails from the Philadelphia area. His collegiate playing career took place at Cornell before he transitioned into coaching. Knowles also boasts a wealth of experience from coaching stints at Duke, Oklahoma State, and Mississippi.