James Atama
Ohio State football fans have experienced a whirlwind 24 hours. On Sunday, they were meant to celebrate the team’s National Championship victory from the previous Monday with a parade. Instead, shockwaves hit when it was reported that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles would be leaving for Penn State.
The news was officially confirmed by Penn State on Monday morning, leaving Buckeyes fans frustrated, especially after learning that Knowles skipped the parade and did not communicate with his players about his decision.
However, today’s developments reveal that Ohio State reportedly asked Knowles not to attend the championship celebration while he deliberated his future. This move has sparked criticism of the Buckeyes program, with fans claiming that head coach Ryan Day would not have made such a decision.
According to Brett McMurphy, Knowles’ agents had attempted to negotiate a new contract with Ohio State both before and after the title game, but the school’s offer was “well below” their expectations. Meanwhile, Penn State and head coach James Franklin proposed a deal exceeding $3 million per season, leading Knowles to accept the offer.
This contract is historic, making Knowles the highest-paid coordinator in college football. In contrast, Penn State had been paying former defensive coordinator Tom Allen around $1.5 million in 2024, meaning they significantly increased their investment to lure Knowles away from Ohio State.
Now, with Knowles departing, Ohio State and Ryan Day face the challenge of finding a new defensive leader. Knowles had a significant impact on the team, most notably during their championship run this past season. His exit, especially to a Big Ten rival, has cast a shadow over his legacy within the program.
