Jim Knowles to Penn State: Fans, media react to major hire
Jim Knowles has agreed to become the next defensive coordinator at Penn State, according to multiple reports.
Knowles leaves Ohio State after 3 seasons as the program’s DC. He was an integral part in building up the Ohio State defense over the past few years. He’s set to earn north of $3 million in 2025 — believed to be the most ever paid to a defensive coordinator in college football.
From any angle, it’s a massive hire for a Penn State program that has National Championship aspirations in 2025. The Nittany Lions were good on the defensive side of the ball in 2024 with Tom Allen running the show, but Knowles could bring their defense to a new level. Ohio State was first nationally in yards-per-play-allowed in 2024 and third in 2023.
It’s also a big win for Penn State from a perception standpoint — the Nittany Lions were successfully able to lure away a highly-coveted coach from a conference foe who just won the national title. That’s a rare feat — and proves that Penn State has the resources to compete with the top programs in college football in 2025.
Shortly after the hire was reported, college football media and fans were quick to share their reactions to the news:
I got no issue with people yelling about PSU being a downgrade for Jim Knowles. It’s actually true. For now.
The entire point of making a move like this for Penn State is to elevate the program to that level. More moves will be needed, but they are locked in on upping the status…
— Mark (@TheYinzerLion) January 26, 2025
Jim Knowles is an unreal hire for Penn State, but it means much more than just getting an elite defensive coordinator
This is a program that’s FINALLY investing the money. They’re going all in on winning a national championship. And to take him away from OSU is so poetic #WeAre
— Connor Griffin (@RealCGriff) January 26, 2025
When Penn State lost to Ohio State this season, Jim Knowles became the first DC since 2021 to not allow an Andy Kotelnicki offense a touchdown.
The DC who did that in 2021? Also Knowles when he was at Oklahoma State.
Just a massive hire by Penn State.
— Lexie Linderman (@lexieleigh28) January 26, 2025
Me watching Jim Knowles scheme up a blitz that is borderline unblockable pic.twitter.com/SqHu3mVsy8
— LandonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) January 26, 2025
Penn State going out and getting Jim Knowles is a sign that they are all in. For the first time in a very long time, top to bottom, they are fully invested in making the football team the best it can be.
That’s what makes me happiest about this.
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) January 26, 2025
Tom Allen is a great defensive coordinator, but Jim Knowles is the best in the country.
If true, that's a massive pickup for Penn State, which is coming off a semifinal appearance and is returning many key defensive pieces.
The Nittany Lions reportedly had to win a bidding war…
— Joel Haas (@Joel_Haas1) January 26, 2025
🚨 Jim Knowles to Penn State is one of the biggest coaching portal moves in recent history.
An enormous W for James Franklin and PSU.
They just stole the #1 DC in the nation from the defending national champs and made him the highest-paid DC in CFB history.
PSU should be the… pic.twitter.com/oTc8XBc4r7
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) January 26, 2025
Report after report is coming out that Jim Knowles is making a lateral move to Penn State.
The players don’t seemed thrilled pic.twitter.com/YwJqUVbdCZ
— Ohio State Football Fan Page (@OhioStFootball) January 26, 2025
Ohio State DC Jim Knowles is expected to become the new defensive coordinator at Penn State, sources tell @YahooSports. The two sides are in the process of finalizing an agreement. Big hire for James Franklin.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 26, 2025
It will not be lost on me that Jim Knowles skipped the National Championship celebration to do this on the very same day. Penn State would've gladly taken him tomorrow. Dead to me.
— Ohio’s Tate (@BarstoolTate) January 26, 2025
Ohio State will host Knowles and the Nittany Lions on Nov. 1.