There have been rumors about Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles leaving since before the national championship game but on Sunday, his departure (to Penn State) finally became a reality, much to the chagrin of Michigan football fans.
There was talk of Knowles leaving for Oklahoma during the Buckeyes' playoff run. Knowles always deflected any talk of leaving but this week, Penn State started making a strong push to steal him away from the Buckeyes.
It seemed unlike.y. Ohio State surely has the same resources to pay Knowles as Penn State does, but the Nittany Lions made Knowles the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football history, according to Yahoo Sports, which was enough to make the move.
Penn State seems determined to show Ohio State that it will compete with it financially. Who knows if the Buckeyes were willing to go above $3 million. Michigan football might have to do that to keep Wink Martindale, and even then it might not matter.
Will this drastically change things though? Joel Klatt ranked Penn State No. 1 in his preseason top 10 for the 2025 season, and armed with Knowles, it does feel like national title or bust.
Penn State was within a game of making the championship. But even with Knowles, the biggest problem Penn State has is James Franklin -- at least big-game James Franklin.
"Jim Knowles has to have the best series as a defensive coordinator he’s maybe had in his life. First year here at Ohio State. This is why he’s here. They have to get a stop."
— Brandon Koretz (@BrandonKoretz) January 26, 2025
8 seconds later:pic.twitter.com/AjwTrcZpPK https://t.co/bvNpEij4C1
Michigan football fans will hate to see him go. The Wolverines had a 3-0 record against him. Donovan Edwards also had two epic touchdown runs that U-M fans will never forget.