Report: Jim Knowles Offered Ohio State CFB Contract Extension as DC amid PSU Rumors

Ohio State has reportedly offered defensive coordinator Jim Knowles a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid DC in college football.

According to Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch, Knowles signed a three-year extension with a base salary of $2.2 million per year in January 2024, but if he signs the new deal, it would exceed the contract Wink Martindale signed with Michigan last year.

Martindale was the highest-paid DC in college football last season with a salary of $2.5 million, and he is set to make $2.75 million in 2025.

Per Rabinowitz, both Penn State and Oklahoma have reportedly expressed interest in poaching Knowles from OSU and making him their defensive coordinator.

With Knowles leading the way, OSU led all FBS schools in total defense and scoring defense en route to going 14-2 and winning the national championship.

On Monday, the Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, securing the program's first national title since 2014.

The 59-year-old Knowles has been at Ohio State since 2022, but he has coached at the collegiate level since 1988.

Knowles spent time as a defensive coordinator at Western Michigan (2001-2002), Duke (2010-2017) and Oklahoma State (2018-2021).

He was also the head coach at his alma mater, Cornell, from 2004 to 2009, posting a 26-34 record during his tenure.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day hired Knowles away from Oklahoma State in 2022 after the Buckeyes ranked 38th in scoring defense in 2021, allowing 22.8 points per game.

By comparison, Oklahoma State allowed just 18.1 points per game in 2021, which helped the Cowboys finish with a 12-2 record.

After Knowles' arrival, OSU allowed 21.0 points per game in 2022, but the defense took a big leap forward after that, allowing just 11.2 points per game in 2023 and 12.9 points per game in 2024.

Oklahoma lost defensive coordinator Tom Alley to West Virginia where he will serve as the DC and assistant head coach under Rich Rodriguez, while Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen left to take the same role at Clemson at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Both schools appear to be making a strong run at Knowles, but Ohio State clearly places immense value on Knowles' contributions as evidenced by the big contract offer it has reportedly extended.