Jim Knowles reportedly low-balled by Ohio State, asked not to attend CFP title celebration
Jim Knowles was given an offer to remain as defensive coordinator at Ohio State that was “well below” the other schools that wanted him, according to a report from The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.
Knowles, who spent the previous 3 seasons as the Buckeyes’ DC and helped Ohio State capture the national championship in 2024, signed a 3-year, $9.3 million deal to be the defensive coordinator at rival Penn State on Sunday.
He made $2.2 million at Ohio State in 2024, per the USA Today coach salary database.
McMurphy also reported that Ohio State asked the 59-year-old Knowles not to attend the Buckeyes’ national championship celebration while he mulled his decision.
According to McMurphy, Knowles’ representation was looking to strike a deal the week before the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Notre Dame and then immediately after the game that would’ve kept Knowles in Columbus. But when the offer from Ohio State was below the competition, Knowles decided to head elsewhere.
Knowles had previously been linked to the open defensive coordinator job at Oklahoma for several weeks. He was also rumored to be a target of Notre Dame in its search to replace Al Golden at defensive coordinator.
Now he’ll be in direct competition with the Buckeyes in 2025 in State College.
Ohio State DC Jim Knowles was asked by school not to attend Buckeyes’ national title celebration while he deliberated his options, source said. Knowles’ representation tried to reach deal w/OSU week before title game & immediately after, but eventual offer was “well below” the…
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 27, 2025
The hire sent shockwaves through the Big Ten and, understandably, had Penn State fans ecstatic. Knowles will replace Tom Allen at Penn State. Allen left Happy Valley to take the same position at Clemson after the Nittany Lions lost to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Ohio State will host Penn State in 2025 in the annual grudge match, so Knowles won’t have to wait long to make his return to Columbus as Nittany Lions defensive coordinator.