Football Penn State set to hire Ohio State DC Jim Knowles as Defensive Coordinator

[Richie O]

JIM KNOWLES TO PENN STATE!

Penn State set to hire Ohio State DC Jim Knowles as Defensive Coordinator

Penn State's search for their next defensive coordinator has come to an end, with Jim Knowles as the new DC.

pennstate.rivals.com

INSTANT REACTION PODCAST

PSU Pod: Instant Reaction to Penn State stealing Ohio State DC Jim Knowles

The Penn State 365 Pod reacts to Penn State Football landing Ohio State DC Jim Knowles as the new Defensive Coordinator.

pennstate.rivals.com

 

[PSU4U]

PSU Pod: Could Penn State Football Land the Top DC In The Country?

The Penn State 365 Pod talks about Anthony Poindexter's chances and could PSU snag the best DC in the nation?

pennstate.rivals.com

It's a cluster.

Poindexter by default. He would at least get you into next year's cycle. That way you're not really shaking up the staff and you get to promote Dan Conner to LB coach. Poindexter would do a good job by holding the current scheme together with perhaps some minor adjustments. This might be the best move for the current available coaching pool.

 

[Hugh Laurie]

To answer the question, no. Vic Fangio is staying with the Eagles.

 

[Obliviax]

I am starting to see a lot of chatter than Knowles is the guy. We'll see.

 

[mcpat]

PSU Pod: Could Penn State Football Land the Top DC In The Country?

The Penn State 365 Pod talks about Anthony Poindexter's chances and could PSU snag the best DC in the nation?

pennstate.rivals.com

Appreciate the updates. Please keep them coming.

 

[Lion_Backer]

I am starting to see a lot of chatter than Knowles is the guy. We'll see.

Has there been any chatter from the OSU people regarding their DC entertaining offers in what would be a lateral move wrt job title?

Is OSU interested in retaining Knowles' services or do they believe that he just using it for leverage to get paid, like the players that he coaches?

I've also read where former DC at Clemson Brent Venables at OU also was pursuing Knowles for their DC position.

Interesting times....

 

[dailybuck777]

Has there been any chatter from the OSU people regarding their DC entertaining offers in what would be a lateral move wrt job title?

Is OSU interested in retaining Knowles' services or do they believe that he just using it for leverage to get paid, like the players that he coaches?

I've also read where former DC at Clemson Brent Venables at OU also was pursuing Knowles for their DC position.

Interesting times....

Knowles' girlfriend in Oklahoma has two children in college in Oklahoma and doesn't want to leave. According to social Media by the woman, he has been negotiating with Oklahoma. If he leaves Ohio State, that will be a big loss.

 

[Lion_Backer]

Knowles' girlfriend in Oklahoma has two children in college in Oklahoma and doesn't want to leave. According to social Media by the woman, he has been negotiating with Oklahoma. If he leaves Ohio State, that will be a big loss.

He's been the DC at OSU for several years. Has the circumstance with his lady friend recently changed?

Trying to understand what changed id that he has been in Columbus for a while.

If he were to go to OU, would he be just running Venables' defense? That has certainly been the MO for the last 2 former DC's who became head coach for the Steelers. Those were Cowhers and now Tomlins defenses because that was their passion and area of expertise.

And with the season now going 16-17 games and the associated additional revenues generated by those additional contests for the university, it would not surprise me for assistant coaches to do the same thing as their players when it comes to utilizing their 'portal'.

As I stated in my previous post, interesting times....

 

[Zone-Blitz]

At this point, we’re going to end up with Ted Roof

 

[Westcoast24]

At this point, we’re going to end up with Ted Roof

Maybe Franklin will give Don Brown a call. They used to work together back in the day.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Sounds like there was PSU smoke but the more time that passes the less likely this is the outcome. Think we almost had him, then we lost him.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Saw the headline and got so excited “ We got Narducci!!!”


{~👀 Somebody had to say it! Frankly surprised it took this long!

Franklin will find a good DC from a mid level school that no one has mentioned.

And we will love it!

 

[NedFromYork]

Richie, are we keeping the current WR Coach. Seems like it?

 

[LMTLION]

At this point, we’re going to end up with Ted Roof

I would prefer Ted Lasso.

 

[PSU4U]

I am starting to see a lot of chatter than Knowles is the guy. We'll see.

Well, Frankin has been chasing him for a long time, but I think OSU would pay whatever they had to just to keep him from coming to PS. But I would like/love for the chatter to be correct.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

Make Poindexter DC and use the extra $ for a WR

 

[The Song Remains the Same]

At this point, we’re going to end up with Ted Roof

 

[NittanyIllinois]

Apparently we are offering a MASSIVE raise for Knowles. Based on very good sources, we are willing to spend crazy money, so all the hand wringing about how we can't compete in the NIL era should probably end.

I have no idea if we end up getting Knowles, but we're offering him more than he's being paid at OSU. He may use this as a leverage ploy, but it seems we're in it.

We are absolutely spending money.

 

[PSU4U]

Apparently we are offering a MASSIVE raise for Knowles. Based on very good sources, we are willing to spend crazy money, so all the hand wringing about how we can't compete in the NIL era should probably end.

I have no idea if we end up getting Knowles, but we're offering him more than he's being paid at OSU. He may use this as a leverage ploy, but it seems we're in it.

We are absolutely spending money.

At least we are making a real run at him if that's the case. If true we can't fault Franklin or the AD for trying. Will the money persuade the wife. We hope, what woman doesn't like money.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

NIL money and coach’s salary money are two very different pots, FWIW.

 

[RickinDayton]

At least we are making a real run at him if that's the case. If true we can't fault Franklin or the AD for trying. Will the money persuade the wife. We hope, what woman doesn't like money.

I don't think he's married. It is apparently a girl friend who has two daughters attending college in Oklahoma and it sounds like she isn't interested in leaving Oklahoma.

 

[LMTLION]

Apparently we are offering a MASSIVE raise for Knowles. Based on very good sources, we are willing to spend crazy money, so all the hand wringing about how we can't compete in the NIL era should probably end.

I have no idea if we end up getting Knowles, but we're offering him more than he's being paid at OSU. He may use this as a leverage ploy, but it seems we're in it.

We are absolutely spending money.

I believe you’re confusing pots of money. The university pays the coaching salaries. The collective pays out NIL for the players.

 

[LMTLION]

Obviously university athletic funds are finite. I’d actually prefer to not pay an obscene amount for Knowles but still get a decent dc for a more typical salary level and allocate more funds to a landing a great WR coach. In 2023 we were #2 and OSU was #3 in total defense. In 2024 we were 7 and OSU was #1 on total defense. For us obviously it was 2 different dc’s, but the point is that Franklin routinely produces very good defenses. That’s not our issue. The largest factor holding his team back from being truly great is the receivers can’t get open and can’t catch the damn ball. If there’s an OSU coach to be had, I’d rather throw the bank at Hartline.

 

[asbury park]

Obviously university athletic funds are finite. I’d actually prefer to not pay an obscene amount for Knowles but still get a decent dc for a more typical salary level and allocate more funds to a landing a great WR coach. In 2023 we were #2 and OSU was #3 in total defense. In 2024 we were 7 and OSU was #1 on total defense. For us obviously it was 2 different dc’s, but the point is that Franklin routinely produces very good defenses. That’s not our issue. The largest factor holding his team back from being truly great is the receivers can’t get open and can’t catch the damn ball. If there’s an OSU coach to be had, I’d rather throw the bank at Hartline.

Disagree. The largest difference in recent history has our ability to hold onto leads late in the game. Franklin knows this and that is why he is pushing hard on this move. It has been our Achilles heel since he has been head coach. He likely feels that Knowles can change that.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

I believe you’re confusing pots of money. The university pays the coaching salaries. The collective pays out NIL for the players.

Unless we’re already including revenue sharing in our budget. Then that revenue could be used for whatever we want essentially.

 

[LMTLION]

Unless we’re already including revenue sharing in our budget. Then that revenue could be used for whatever we want essentially.

The revenue sharing is definitively for the players from the settlement of the NCAA case. That is not for the coaches at all. I know it’s crazy now with all the different revenue streams, but I’m 99% certain that coaching salaries can only come from university funds, unless perhaps a donor could support a coach salary with a private donation..

 

[PSU4U]

I don't think he's married. It is apparently a girl friend who has two daughters attending college in Oklahoma and it sounds like she isn't interested in leaving Oklahoma.

Thanks for the heads up. Well, ya know girlfriends come and go but wives nag you forever.

 

[PSU4U]

NIL money and coach’s salary money are two very different pots, FWIW.

True.

 

[jjw165]

If true, wow 😮

 

[LMTLION]

Disagree. The largest difference in recent history has our ability to hold onto leads late in the game. Franklin knows this and that is why he is pushing hard on this move. It has been our Achilles heel since he has been head coach. He likely feels that Knowles can change that.

Georgia 42-41 Ohio State (Dec 31, 2022) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Georgia Bulldogs vs. Ohio State Buckeyes NCAAF game, final score 42-41, from December 31, 2022 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Was Knowles not the dc for that game?

 

[Lion_Backer]

If true, wow 😮

View embedded media

The CFP Invitational netted every team in the B1G an additional $22mm. Being a participant, PSU netted an additional $4mm for rounds 1 and 2 and $6mm for the appearance in the semifinal.

That is an additional $36mm earned by the men's football program to support the athletic department.

Just some perspective when mulling over the size of the offer for a DC in 2025.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Apparently OK is offering in the same range - Knowles has family in OKC. Might be too much to overcome. Would be a slight prize to see him leave Columbus though.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

Ok Jim time to decide

 

[green2623]

Or is he going to Notre Dam?

 

[RickinDayton]

Or is he going to Notre Dam?

Right now many possibilities exist. Whatever is happening is certainly being concealed very well.

 

[bvillebaron]

Disagree. The largest difference in recent history has our ability to hold onto leads late in the game. Franklin knows this and that is why he is pushing hard on this move. It has been our Achilles heel since he has been head coach. He likely feels that Knowles can change that.

👍👍👍

 

[Lion_Backer]

Our coach and program are on the ascendant. We made the final four in the inaugural CFP championship. We have received a major commitment from a large number of players who when presented with other options chose to return for 1 more season with dreams of achieving greatness.

PSU has received a handsome bonus to the tune of $36mm as a reward for the efforts of these young men and their coaches, trainers and staff who comprise this football program.

Our 1st year DC Tom Allen performed well in his only season here And, while it is disappointing that we are again in a position of searching for a new DC, our program is at an inflection point and we need to get this hire correct.

The right hire here could be an important determinant in the continued upward trajectory of the program.

 

[RickinDayton]

👍👍👍

If the attempt to hire Knowles fails, then what?
- Hire an accomplished lower level DC?
- Promote Poindexter to DC and Connor to LBer coach?
- Circle back and determine if the NFL Browns safety coach is still avavailable or even interested?

 

[WaffleShopper]

Disagree. The largest difference in recent history has our ability to hold onto leads late in the game. Franklin knows this and that is why he is pushing hard on this move. It has been our Achilles heel since he has been head coach. He likely feels that Knowles can change that.

Knowles' defense did EXACTLY what every Penn State DC has done in the same situation. He went into prevent against ND way too early and gave up two easy TDs to make it a one score game. The only difference between OSU and us is that they were good enough to put the game away. Howard threw a nice ball to the best WR in the country and the kicker made a chip shot to put it away. We don't have Jeremiah Smith to go to on 3rd and 11 with the game on the line.

 

[PSU4U]

If true, wow 😮

View embedded media

Holy Frick and Frack could this be true.