OU football misses out on Ohio State's Jim Knowles to Penn State, per reports

OU football misses out on Ohio State’s Jim Knowles to Penn State, per reports

Posted by author January 26, 2025 Football

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NORMAN — OU football won’t be hiring Jim Knowles as the school’s new defensive coordinator.

Knowles, Ohio State’s defensive coordinator the past three seasons, has reportedly agreed to a deal to become Penn State’s defensive coordinator and the highest-paid assistant in the country, KREF’s Toby Rowland reported on Sunday. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the deal is for three years with an annual average salary of $3.1 million.

The former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator has been the Buckeyes’ defensive playcaller since 2022 and helped lead them to the national championship this season.

Knowles is a native of Philadelphia.

For weeks, there was speculation Knowles could fill the Sooners‘ defensive coordinator opening and be closer to his family as he recently got engaged to a woman from Oklahoma. OU was prepared to offer Knowles up to $3 million per year, per FootballScoop.

Knowles was asked about his name being floated for the Sooners‘ job on Jan. 18.

“Beat Notre Dame, that’s all I’m focused on,” Knowles said. “These things happen, I guess, when you have success, players are making plays. My job is to put them in the best position. These things come up when you do well.”

OU’s search marches on as it aims to replace Zac Alley, who departed for West Virginia after one season. OU’s defense ranked No. 31 nationally this season, with Alley being named a nominee for the Broyles Award, which is given to the top assistant coach in college football.

Knowles is considered one of the best defensive minds in college football and runs a 4-2-5 scheme with similar philosophies as coach Brent Venables, also one of the sport’s great defensive teachers.

It was thought if Knowles headed to Norman, Venables could entrust the keys to him and focus on being a CEO coach.

The Sooners return strong defensive players next season, as defensive end R Mason Thomas and defensive tackle Damonic Williams recently announced their returns. Safeties Peyton Bowen and Robert Spears-Jennings, linebackers Kip Lewis and Kobie McKinzie and defensive tackles Gracen Halton and Jayden Jackson will be back.

OU has been successful at landing defensive players in the NCAA transfer portal, even without a defensive coordinator, including landing star edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr. from Florida State.