Penn State’s James Franklin pries coveted assistant away from rival to be Lions’ new DC, per reports
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Few know the impact Jim Knowles can have on a defense better than James Franklin.
Knowles, one of the top defensive minds in the sport, is expected to be Penn State’s new defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.
Franklin hired Knowles away from Ohio State, where he spent the last three seasons.
Knowles orchestrated a Buckeyes defense that played a major role in Ohio State’s run to the 2024 national championship. Ohio State beat Notre Dame, 34-23, last Monday night in Atlanta.
OSU finished the season ranked No. 1 in FBS in fewest yards allowed per game (254.6) and fewest points (12.9). The Buckeyes were No. 3 in FBS in fewest rushing yards allowed per game (87.6) and fewest passing yards per game (167.0).
Knowles, a Philadelphia guy and a Cornell grad, succeeds Tom Allen, who left Penn State after one season to become Clemson’s defensive coordinator.
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Knowles’ deal is expected to be three years and average $3.1 million per year.
Knowles is Franklin’s fifth permanent defensive coordinator in his 12 seasons at with the Lions, following Allen, Manny Diaz, Brent Pry and Bob Shoop.
It’s also worth noting that Knowles becomes the fourth DC to coach for Franklin since the start of the 2021 season.
The Buckeyes’ defense limited Penn State’s offense to one touchdown in the past two meetings, both OSU victories.
Ohio State beat PSU 20-12 in Columbus in 2023 and held the Lions’ offense without a touchdown in a 20-13 at Beaver Stadium this past season.
Franklin praised Knowles’ work, and his fondness for three-safety looks — something PSU prefers — leading up to the 2024 Penn State-Ohio State game.
“Defensively Jim Knowles — who is also a PA guy — is doing a really good job with their defense and has now for the last couple years,” Franklin said. “Multiple, multiple scheme defense.
“Really probably the thing that gets talked about the most is their three safeties that they play with. How they do it, he’s been doing that in some form all the way back to his time at Oklahoma State. But he’s really doing a nice job.”
Before his time at Ohio State, Knowles was Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator for four seasons (2018-21). He was the defensive coordinator at Duke for seven seasons (2011-17) before moving on to Oklahoma State. Knowles was also the head coach at Cornell from 2004-09.
Penn State and Ohio State play Nov. 1 at the Horseshoe in 2025.