Jim Knowles, Penn State Agree to DC Contract After Ohio State's CFP Championship Win

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles agreed to a contract with Penn State to take the same position on the Nittany Lions coaching staff, the school announced on Monday.

Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger first reported the agreement on Sunday.

Pete Thamel of ESPN reported Sunday that they agreed to a three-year deal that will average $3.1 million annually.

That's nearly $1 million more than the 59-year-old was getting from the Buckeyes. He joined OSU in 2022 and started with a base salary of $1.9 million, which rose to $2.2 million this past season.

The Columbus Dispatch's Bill Rabinowitz reported Saturday that Ohio State was prepared to give Knowles a bump in pay to $2.75 million.

Signing the reported deal would've made him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, vaulting ahead of Michigan's Wink Martindale. Instead, it appears he's taking an even bigger payday to bolt for a conference rival.

Leaving for another Big Ten school would be bad enough in the eyes of Buckeyes fans. This news is also breaking on the same day Ohio State is staging a celebration at Ohio Stadium to honor its national title triumph over Notre Dame. It doesn't look like Knowles in attendance as the final details of his negotiations with Penn State are coming together.

Penn State wasn't the only school to pursue Knowles. ESPN's Adam Rittenberg noted Oklahoma and Notre Dame also coveted him as his stock skyrocketed thanks to the success of the Ohio State defense.

The Buckeyes allowed the fewest points (12.9) and yards (254.6) per game in the FBS. During the College Football Playoff, they successfully stifled Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame in succession. The Longhorns were the only one from the group to finish with 300 or more yards of offense.

One way or another, Knowles was going to cash in.

Beyond the salary on offer, he may have selected the Nittany Lions because the Philadelphia native gets to return to his home state. He might relish the challenge of helping Penn State overcome an opponent that has been a consistent thorn in its side as well.

Head coach James Franklin has dropped eight straight to Ohio State, which symbolizes a larger trend during his tenure. Already regarded as a defensive guru, Knowles will boost his reputation further if he can help Penn State flip the current head-to-head dynamic.