Film Study - Jim Knowles Coverage Schemes

[CaliLION79]

JIM KNOWLES FILM STUDY

See link above. Warning: it's a lot to digest but really is fascinating how complex and well-orchestrated/camouflaged Knowles' second and third level looks are to opposing OCs and QBs. We will do a pressure package video later in the spring, but this coordinated chaos in the secondary is really Knowles' bread and butter...night and day different than what we saw Diaz do in 2022 and 2023, and fairly different than what Tom Allen was allowed to do last year.

 

[b&w1987]

Hopefully he knows how to beat OSU.

 

[PSUALREADYKNOW]

I have heard that his schemes are very complex-overly? The rumor is that it can take over a year for it to sink in? Can anyone with knowledge of his career, style, and then our upcoming expectations give more detail on his schemes. I saw some celebrating that the his secondary layers are very nuanced....but is it worth the time to install? How much better can the defense get at this point? If 100 was perfect what was our defense THIS season and what number grade do we expect it to be next season. We know Knowles has the skills but really, is he head and shoulders above guys like Manny Diaz and Tom Allen? Or is he more like an inch or two? Where should the current fan bases' expectations shake out? Thanks!

 

[RickinDayton]

I have heard that his schemes are very complex-overly? The rumor is that it can take over a year for it to sink in? Can anyone with knowledge of his career, style, and then our upcoming expectations give more detail on his schemes. I saw some celebrating that the his secondary layers are very nuanced....but is it worth the time to install? How much better can the defense get at this point? If 100 was perfect what was our defense THIS season and what number grade do we expect it to be next season. We know Knowles has the skills but really, is he head and shoulders above guys like Manny Diaz and Tom Allen? Or is he more like an inch or two? Where should the current fan bases' expectations shake out? Thanks!

Personal opinion. Hope I'm wrong but money would have been better spent on a younger experienced/successful DC and attracting a much better WR coach than Hagans. It is true his system doesn't click in year one and next year is PSU's best shot at the Natty fir a few years. After 2025 the veteran core is gone.

 

[manilion]

If he can’t scheme a passing offense, this hire does nothing to make the team better. Defense wasn’t the problem.

 

[bvillebaron]

I have heard that his schemes are very complex-overly? The rumor is that it can take over a year for it to sink in? Can anyone with knowledge of his career, style, and then our upcoming expectations give more detail on his schemes. I saw some celebrating that the his secondary layers are very nuanced....but is it worth the time to install? How much better can the defense get at this point? If 100 was perfect what was our defense THIS season and what number grade do we expect it to be next season. We know Knowles has the skills but really, is he head and shoulders above guys like Manny Diaz and Tom Allen? Or is he more like an inch or two? Where should the current fan bases' expectations shake out? Thanks!

I find it to be extremely interesting that so many of those who initially said there was no way that Penn State could convince the DC regarded by many as the best in the country to come on board and after they do are now proclaiming that maybe he really isn’t that good or that his schemes are “too complex”. The fact is they needed a new DC when Allen left and by any measure Knowles is a good one. I agree that he won’t fix the offensive problems, especially at WR. However, there were a number of defensive collapses especially in the 4th quarter under both Diaz and Allen and OSU did lead the nation in defensive stop rates so let’s see what happens.

 

[Obliviax]

I find it to be extremely interesting that so many of those who initially said there was no way that Penn State could convince the DC regarded by many as the best in the country to come on board and after they do are now proclaiming that maybe he really isn’t that good or that his schemes are “too complex”. The fact is they needed a new DC when Allen left and by any measure Knowles is a good one. I agree that he won’t fix the offensive problems, especially at WR. However, there were a number of defensive collapses especially in the 4th quarter under both Diaz and Allen and OSU did lead the nation in defensive stop rates so let’s see what happens.

how do you know they are the same people?

For me, I was very skeptical of the initial reports of Knowles becoming our DC. It reminded me of the reports of Rick Nueheisel having dinner at the Happy Valley Hooters (or whatever). What I find funny is that Knowles was repeatedly held up as one of the best DCs in the nation by tOSU and sports media only to be told that the tOSU D was so bad vs Oregon in the regular season that Day (an offensive coach historically) had to intervene to get it straightened out.

tOSU is now trying to say "meh, no biggie". This is exactly what we say when we have a good player portal out or select another team out of high school. it is just part of fan psychology.

The reality is the PSU will be a different paradigm for Coach Knowles. The talent level will be a bit different and the culture will be different. His schemes are complex and it will be interesting to see how our players digest that complexity. And it isn't like tOSU's defense hasn't gotten touched from time to time (UM game in 23 and Oregon regular season game last year). Honestly, I hope he is as good as Manny Diaz. I thought Allen was fine but a half step back from Diaz.

 

[lazydave841]

Knowles immediately improved the OSU defense. They improved every year he was there. Downs showed up and understood the defense in 1 season and with as much as they moved him around, it didn't show.

The games people refer to as the defense not being installed and understood are playoff Michigan '22/'23, national champion '22 UGA, and Big 10 champion Oregon '24. People need to understand that in modern football, even the best DC isn't going to contain every opponent to 10 points every single game. Particularly top 5, playoff bound teams.