During a media session earlier this offseason in State College, Penn State’s new defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, shared insights into why he made the decision to join the Nittany Lions.
Knowles expressed his belief that his experience could be the missing piece in Penn State’s pursuit of a national title.
“I think I can help,” Knowles said. “I think I can be of service. … Everything here is so close to winning it all, and I’m hopeful that I can help get it there.”
However, a recent interview with ESPN’s Heather Dinich has given a deeper look into the motivations behind Knowles’ move to Penn State, including the factors that led him to leave Ohio State.
In the interview, Knowles opened up about the events following Ohio State’s victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship, which played a pivotal role in his decision.
Two days after the Buckeyes clinched the national title, Knowles placed a call to Penn State head coach James Franklin.
The timing was significant, as Knowles had been navigating a “difficult” contract negotiation process at Ohio State, which had left him feeling unsettled.
“Season’s over, everything coming to a head again quickly,” Knowles said. “Ohio State hasn’t come forward with a deal, and it’s like, OK, if I’m going to act on this or at least explore it, I have got to make the call.”
Knowles described how the negotiations turned “awkward” and revealed that he was even asked to skip the team’s championship celebration in Columbus.
This tension, combined with his desire for a new challenge, made it clear that a change was necessary.
His departure from Ohio State adds a layer of context to the growing rivalry between the Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions.
Ohio State has dominated this matchup in recent years, winning eight consecutive games against Penn State, including the past three with Knowles as their defensive coordinator.
In their most recent encounters, Knowles’ defense was instrumental in limiting Penn State’s offense, including holding the Nittany Lions to just one offensive touchdown in the 2023 meeting, which came with only 29 seconds left on the clock.
The previous season, in a game played in State College, Knowles’ defense made key stops, preventing Penn State from scoring on four occasions inside the 5-yard line during the final quarter.
Despite losing to Michigan late in the regular season, Ohio State went on to win the national title, defeating Notre Dame in the championship game. Ironically, Notre Dame had defeated Penn State in the Orange Bowl to reach that title game.
Meanwhile, Penn State was undergoing its own major changes. After defensive coordinator Tom Allen left for Clemson, the Nittany Lions extended a lucrative offer to Knowles, reportedly exceeding $3 million annually.
The decision to hire Knowles was seen as a reflection of Penn State’s institutional commitment to compete at the highest level.
“Not lip service to say we’re trying to win at the highest level,” Penn State head coach James Franklin told ESPN.
In the interview, Knowles also discussed the pressure he felt at Ohio State to win, a sentiment that echoes in Penn State’s own pursuit of excellence.
The Nittany Lions, who have not won a national championship since 1986, are determined to break through. This pressure has only grown after an aggressive offseason, with several key moves aimed at positioning the program for a title run.
“I think the last two years, our commitment has matched our expectations,” Franklin said. “I don’t know if I would have said that before.”
ESPN’s Heather Dinich also spoke with Penn State players, including quarterback Drew Allar, who credited Knowles for helping him refine his self-scouting, particularly in preparation for high-stakes games like those against Ohio State.
FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt recently made waves by ranking the Nittany Lions as his No. 1 team in college football following spring practices, further adding to the growing anticipation surrounding the program’s potential this coming season.
As for Knowles, what are your thoughts on how everything played out? … How should Ohio State fans feel about him leaving for Happy Valley???
