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

[NittanyIllinois]

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Looks like it’s true, hope he’s worth the money. Looks like it’s 2025 season or bust.

He's worth big money. But if the idea is to spend THAT kind of money for a DC for the sake of going all in on 2025, I don't know.....

The hire can't hurt us. But is this hire the difference between a natty and not? I'm not sure. I think the bigger issues are WR and QB play. The defense was going to be fine regardless.

OSU's defense was a wreck and needed fixing. Knowles did that. Our wreck resides on the offensive side.

Still, good hire......no doubt.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

Some of you better go back and delete your posts from this thread before they’re kept a receipts.

“Disaster” “plan c or d” “botched search”

Franklin just pulled the DC of the #1 defense from the national championship team. A conference rival at that.

Let’s go make a run at the natty, all the chips are on the table now. Hell yes.

Was mainly led by Lando

 

[NedFromYork]

Plan J!!!

 

[ryoder1]

He's worth big money. But if the idea is to spend THAT kind of money for a DC for the sake of going all in on 2025, I don't know.....

The hire can't hurt us. But is this hire the difference between a natty and not? I'm not sure. I think the bigger issues are WR and QB play. The defense was going to be fine regardless.

OSU's defense was a wreck and needed fixing. Knowles did that. Our wreck resides on the offensive side.

Still, good hire......no doubt.

We were a little shaky under Allen and that 2nd half Orange Bowl performance was weak. Franklin probably did not trust Allen at the helm without Carter, King and some other guys who left. This is a definite upgrade over Allen and hopefully we go from a B+ defense to now an A defense.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

He's worth big money. But if the idea is to spend THAT kind of money for a DC for the sake of going all in on 2025, I don't know.....

The hire can't hurt us. But is this hire the difference between a natty and not? I'm not sure. I think the bigger issues are WR and QB play. The defense was going to be fine regardless.

OSU's defense was a wreck and needed fixing. Knowles did that. Our wreck resides on the offensive side.

Still, good hire......no doubt.

The extra money is from donors. We’re fine.

 

[LMTLION]

He's worth big money. But if the idea is to spend THAT kind of money for a DC for the sake of going all in on 2025, I don't know.....

The hire can't hurt us. But is this hire the difference between a natty and not? I'm not sure. I think the bigger issues are WR and QB play. The defense was going to be fine regardless.

OSU's defense was a wreck and needed fixing. Knowles did that. Our wreck resides on the offensive side.

Still, good hire......no doubt.

Hopefully the WR room surprises us and takes a huge step forward. To me that was the glaring weakness on this team. I hope it’s not the weakness that screws us for two consecutive seasons.

 

[rrdd2021]

Great hire but the PSU defense has always been rock solid. Knowles seems to jump around a bit but if PSU can keep him around for a few years that would be great for the program and possibly result in an NC Still, priority # 1 ----- get a superstar WR (or 2) for 2025. Didn't realize that Knowles is from Philly

 

[PSU4U]

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

Amazing job didn't think it could be done even after I was told it was moving forward as in progress. Congrats to Franklin and those who came up with the money.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

I am at the point thinking:
-why pay a guy $3 million or more who is probably one & done? Most likely not bringing any OSU players with him
--His defensive scheme is very nuanced and takes a few years to have real impact.
---2025 has players in place but they might not fully grasp/excell in his scheme, then it's rebuild for 2026
-I wanted Lynn
-Now its time to look for a young up & coming DC who has had success @ a lower level with less talented players; has a
--He would most likely want to stay longer

Just my preference. Not discounting others.

The extra $ for Knowles came from donors. We’re all in for next year. Name a better hire for next year that Knowles.

 

[knickslions]

I love Franklin, but this process has been an utter failure. In both cases the candidate leveraged our offer for more money at his current school. The only thing Franklin accomplished was resetting the DC salaries for the entire sport.

Oops

 

[PSU210]

People I know close to OSU saying he's leaving, and that OSU didn't offer to match or exceed Penn State's offer. They wanted to keep Knowles, but not THAT badly to offer more than $3.1 million. They have a few options lined up.

Knowles didn't fit well given the scheme, and Day ultimately didn't force a resolution to the Knowles-LJ feud it seems.

Here we go with the "people I know" after the post he's leaving! lol

 

[LMTLION]

Apparently Knowles is a St Joe’s Prep grad. There is an additional value in his hire above just being DC. We’ve done very poorly recruiting the best high school football school in the northeast right in our backyard. Perhaps he changes that narrative.

 

[Richie O]

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[PSU210]

Apparently Knowles is a St Joe’s Prep grad. There is an additional value in his hire above just being DC. We’ve done very poorly recruiting the best high school football school in the northeast right in our backyard. Perhaps he changes that narrative.

Additional value too for Andy K to pick his brain on what went into the Ohio State defensive game plan. Usually won't come up with any major strategical surprises, however, the small little nuances may be of great value.

 

[PalmBeachLion2011]

When you cancel public meetings you're not getting the job done
Are you trying to say this is going well?

I’d say it went pretty well.

 

[christoph]

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.

Agree. It’s like bragging rights to get the most overpaid guy that will move on after a year. This was like an auction where you kept bidding just to beat the other person but in the end overpaid.

 

[pennstatepelly]

I’d say it went pretty well.

Except it isn’t your money so why do you care whatsoever?

 

[bourbon n blues]

 

[PSUPride1]

Except it isn’t your money so why do you care whatsoever?

Agreed. This guy is universally respected and had Oklahoma, ND trying to get him and OSU trying to keep him. I love trying to hire the best coaches.

 

[Delcolion915]

Oh my good sweet lord in heaven please tell me this is not a joke!!!!!!!

THANK YOU JESUS AND GREAT JOB JAMES!

LETS FRIGGIN GO RIGHT NOW!

Well, let's give the man time to get us ready at least for now 😂

HALLELUJAH LORD THANK YOU

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

Alright, long tweet coming up but my general thoughts here....

James Franklin has preached alignment for a long time. Has repeatedly said that the alignment between himself, Pat Kraft, and Neeli Bendapudi line up.

There's no secret Penn State's previous administration and Franklin didn't meet eye to eye. But since Kraft and Bendapudi have arrived in State College, Penn State's commitment to the football program has grown exponentially.

A university that often was criticized by fans for not investing enough into the program is about to pay a coordinator an unprecedented $3 million. Poaching him from the defending national champions + keeping him away from a blue blood program in OU.

Will it result in titles for Penn State? Only time will tell but the university with this hire has shown that they're ready to make the investments needed to give the program every opportunity to do so. Penn State fans should be excited about the potential of the program going forward with the alignment from top to bottom.

 

[PalmBeachLion2011]

Except it isn’t your money so why do you care whatsoever?

Why do I care if my Alma Mater hired one of the most qualified coaches in the country to fill their DC vacancy? No it’s not my money, was it yours? Anyone with a pulse knows how much of an investment a school’s college football team can be. In today’s landscape, if you want to win it all, you have to go all in. We were a play away from the national championship game and I don’t think we were even truly all in this last year. Imagine what going all in like OSU did this last year can do to make a difference. You can either spend money and win or be cheap and just use your moral superiority as your defense for being cheap and lose. I’m sorry, but I want to win.

 

[pennstatepelly]

Why do I care if my Alma Mater hired one of the most qualified coaches in the country to fill their DC vacancy? No it’s not my money, was it yours? Anyone with a pulse knows how much of an investment a school’s college football team can be. In today’s landscape, if you want to win it all, you have to go all in. We were a play away from the national championship game and I don’t think we were even truly all in this last year. Imagine what going all in like OSU did this last year can do to make a difference. You can either spend money and win or be cheap and just use your moral superiority as your defense for being cheap and lose. I’m sorry, but I want to win.

I’m sorry. I think you are arguing with me for absolutely no reason. If you look at the person I quoted, they were complaining that it cost too much. My reply was more or less, so what. It isn’t our money. More than likely it isn’t even the university’s money. I agree with you.

 

[PalmBeachLion2011]

I’m sorry. I think you are arguing with me for absolutely no reason. If you look at the person I quoted, they were complaining that it cost too much. My reply was more or less, so what. It isn’t our money. More than likely it isn’t even the university’s money. I agree with you.

Ahh yes you quoted my post so I got confused. That’s my bad man, I agree with you 100% anyways.

 

[paradox1984]

Why do I care if my Alma Mater hired one of the most qualified coaches in the country to fill their DC vacancy? No it’s not my money, was it yours? Anyone with a pulse knows how much of an investment a school’s college football team can be. In today’s landscape, if you want to win it all, you have to go all in. We were a play away from the national championship game and I don’t think we were even truly all in this last year. Imagine what going all in like OSU did this last year can do to make a difference. You can either spend money and win or be cheap and just use your moral superiority as your defense for being cheap and lose. I’m sorry, but I want to win.

I'm wondering if Pelly replied to you by accident and maybe meant to reply to Christoph who posted directly below you.

 

[Nbergbuck]

Agree. It’s like bragging rights to get the most overpaid guy that will move on after a year. This was like an auction where you kept bidding just to beat the other person but in the end overpaid.

Congratulations on getting Knowles. Keep in mind his scheme is complicated and it takes players time to learn it. One reason OSU's defense was so good this year is that Knowles had many good veteran players who had been in his system for 3 years. Perhaps it is time to drop the "O$U" thing often seen here. It seems everyone is $ nowadays.

 

[paradox1984]

I’m sorry. I think you are arguing with me for absolutely no reason. If you look at the person I quoted, they were complaining that it cost too much. My reply was more or less, so what. It isn’t our money. More than likely it isn’t even the university’s money. I agree with you.

It shows that you replied to Palm Beach Lion on my screen.... So I can understand his confusion

 

[pennstatepelly]

And damn! I think I quoted the

I’m sorry. I think you are arguing with me for absolutely no reason. If you look at the person I quoted, they were complaining that it cost too much. My reply was more or less, so what. It isn’t our money. More than likely it isn’t even the university’s money. I agree with you.

wrong cat causing the confusion. My bad.

 

[PSUPride1]

Congratulations on getting Knowles. Keep in mind his scheme is complicated and it takes players time to learn it. One reason OSU's defense was so good this year is that Knowles had many good veteran players who had been in his system for 3 years. Perhaps it is time to drop the "O$U" thing often seen here. It seems everyone is $ nowadays.

No guarantee of anything. You always need the horses but Jim certainly was a popular coach with ND and Oklahoma also after him. Yup money has a lot to do with winning.

 

[94LionsFan]

At this point, isn't it safe to say they've botched this search? Maybe we get lucky and we find someone last minute but his hasn't been impressive

What's your ?? about?
We failed to get our top target in Lynn
We failed to get Knowles
We MAYBE failed to get Golden (not buying that)
We've butchered this badly

When you cancel public meetings you're not getting the job done
Are you trying to say this is going well?

Narrator: “Turns out it was not safe to say it was a botched search.” 😅

 

[Delcolion915]

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.

That's not the issue? Let's look closer at that:

2017: PSU defense collapses and allows 39 points in a loss in Columbus costing us a playoff spot.
2018: Penn State defense again collapses in the fourth quarter losing 27 -26 in a game they led by 12 with 7 minutes left
2019: Ohio State runs and passes all over a "great" defense with Micah Parsons on it, losing 28-17
2020: Penn State gives up 38 points at home in a blow out load
2021: Penn State gives up 26 points not including a scoop and score, and fails to stop Ohio State, wasting Sean Cliffords career best game probably, losing 33-24 in Columbus
2022: Penn State defense complete implodes at home with a 21-16 lead, amazingly giving up 28 points in less than 8 minutes in the fourth quarter, almost impossible, losing 44-31
2023: .The "best defense in the nation" gives up nearly 200 yards to ONE receiver, losing 20-12, in a game that proved Ohio State's defense superior to PSU
2024: Tom Allens defense gives up 20 points, but is badly out gained and fails to stop Ohio State from its own,2 yards line with 3 time outs and 6 minutes, and gets man handled by an Ohio State offensive line playing two back ups.

Damn Right that's the issue. That's the issue every day and twice on Saturday.

 

[PalmBeachLion2011]

Congratulations on getting Knowles. Keep in mind his scheme is complicated and it takes players time to learn it. One reason OSU's defense was so good this year is that Knowles had many good veteran players who had been in his system for 3 years. Perhaps it is time to drop the "O$U" thing often seen here. It seems everyone is $ nowadays.

His defense was so good because in all honesty he had the best players, it’s not that hard to have a good defense when you have the type of talent Penn State and Ohio State had on that side of the ball. The difference in a Coach Like Knowles or Diaz is that they can take those good defenses with the top talent and make them a great defense. That’s the difference between losing to Notre Dame by 3 and holding on to beat notre dame with the defense stopping them on that last 4th quarter TD drive. Yes I know Miller fell down, but truthfully PSU couldn’t stop ND really all 2nd half a part from an INT and 1-2 drives stalled out due to big plays from sacks leading to punts. if we still have manny as our DC we don’t lose that game. That’s the difference between a guy like Knowles and a guy like Allen

 

[dbbp]

I also like the added benefits for Dan Connor and Deion Barnes learning under one of the best

 

[PSUSignore]

Narrator: “Turns out it was not safe to say it was a botched search.” 😅

But certainly was a botched post. Another one for the Lando archives.

 

[rmem]

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Aw, give it a rest.

 

[PSUSignore]

Recent NCAA points allowed stats leaders.

2021: Georgia (won natty)
2022: Airforce
2023: Michigan (won natty). Also #1 in yards allowed.
2024: Ohio State (won natty under Jim Knowles). Also #1 in yards allowed.

Let's f**cking go!

 

[LandoComando]

Narrator: “Turns out it was not safe to say it was a botched search.” 😅

I'm good with being wrong
Obviously if you read those it's about not getting Knowles and Lynn. Glad things worked out.

 

[94LionsFan]

With all this talk of Knowles’ defense taking a while to learn and with 2025 being a shot at a title, I wonder if he could hold off on making big changes for a year?

 

[Delcolion915]

One of the best things about this hire is Lando with $hit smeared all over his Penn State hating face. Big Facts.

 

[Delcolion915]

I'm good with being wrong
Obviously if you read those it's about not getting Knowles and Lynn. Glad things worked out.

😂 You ain't "good" for anything. Other than somebody we all laugh at.