It appears that Knowles didn't take long to shuck his scarlet red colors and put on the blue and white at Penn State, taking aim at the conference leaders. It's a huge get for Penn State, who already had one of the most productive defenses in the nation last year, and now adds arguably the top defensive coordinator in the sport to the mix in 2025.

Knowles would fill the void on Penn State’s staff left by Tom Allen, who accepted the same position with Clemson earlier this month.

Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs gave his reaction on Monday to the departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who left for Penn State.

Penn State hired Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, a Philadelphia native and St. Joe's Prep graduate.

Ohio State has lost its defensive coordinator to a Big Ten rival. Penn State announced Monday it had hired Jim Knowles as its defensive coordinator. According to multiple reports, Knowles reached a three-year contract with an average annual salary of $3.

Ohio State football asked former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to not show up to the Buckeyes championship celebration.

In hiring Jim Knowles, Penn State followed the adage: If you can't beat them, turn them to your side. While everyone in college football is already talking about Penn State's new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, it's possible that not everyone is realizing how much his betrayal of Ohio State benefits his new club.

Ohio State’s defensive coordinator is celebrating winning a national championship with a new contract — from one of their rivals.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith runs in for a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of play in the 2025 CFP National Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday, January 20, 2025. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

The departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles adds a challenge for Ohio State, which was already dealing with heavy roster turnover on defense.

However, Knowles wasn’t in attendance. About an hour later, reports surfaced that Knowles is leaving Ohio State to serve as Penn State’s next defensive coordinator. The move leaves Day searching for a replacement. Here’s who he might consider as he enters his seventh season as the Buckeyes' head coach.