Few know the impact Jim Knowles can have on a defense better than James Franklin. Knowles, one of the top defensive minds in the sport, is expected to be Penn State’s new defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.

James Franklin swung for the fences. Penn State empowered him to do. Now, the Nittany Lions are on the verge of making perhaps the biggest move of the entire coaching cycle. Several sources tell FootballScoop that Penn State is working to finalize a deal with vaunted defensive coordinator Jim Knowles,

Nittany Lions coach James Franklin seeks to make a bold move, hiring the architect of the Buckeyes' championship defense.

The former Ohio State and Oklahoma State defensive coordinator has reportedly accepted a job at Penn State, according to Griffin Media's Toby Rowland.

“Reliable sources confirm that barring last second change of heart, Jim Knowles is headed to Penn State,” Rowland wrote. “He has notified James Franklin that he’ll accept their offer of well over $3 million to be highest paid coordinator in college football history. Knowles is from Philly.”

The Nittany Lions are set to hire Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles for the same position, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. He has yet to officially sign a contract with PSU.

Ohio State's Jim Knowles is finalizing a 3-year deal with Penn State to become the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, sources told ESPN.

With success comes pillaging and the Ohio State football program is working to fend off the vultures of college football after winning the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship. There have been reports of tampering with OSU’s wide receivers and NIL money,

Penn State is nearing an agreement with Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to take the same position on the Nittany Lions coaching staff,