What They’re Saying About Penn State DC Jim Knowles: ‘Evil Genius’ and ‘Cartoon Character’

Penn State football completed its statement move Monday, announcing Jim Knowles as its new defensive coordinator. Knowles, 59, spent the past three seasons at Ohio State, where he guided the nation’s best statistical defense to a national championship and receved multiple offers from some of the nation’s top programs.

But after a week of negotiations, twists and a Sunday championship celebration in Columbus (during which the news leaked), Penn State coach James Franklin brought Knowles to State College with reportedly the largest coordinator’s contract in the country and a mandate: Help the Nittany Lions win their first national championship since the 1986 season. And beat the Buckeyes in the process. It doesn’t hurt that Franklin got Knowles out of Ohio State, where his past two defenses tormented the Nittany Lions.

“I am excited for this opportunity to join Penn State Football,” Knowles said in a statement. “I would like to thank Coach Franklin, [athletic director] Pat Kraft and President Neeli Bendapudi for this opportunity to be the defensive coordinator at Penn State. I have always had a ton of respect for Coach Franklin and the program he has built here. I look forward to working with this tremendous staff and group of student-athletes and am ready to get to work.”

What should Penn State football fans expect from Knowles? Here’s a look.

Jim Knowles vs. Penn State

During Knowles’ first year at Ohio State in 2022, his defense had a few issues with Penn State’s offense. Quarterback Sean Clifford threw for 371 yards (the most Ohio State allowed during the regular season) and three touchdowns vs. the Buckeyes. However, Ohio State also intercepted Clifford three times (one for a touchdown by JT Tuimoloau) in a 44-31 victory. After that, Knowles collected Penn State’s number.

The past two seasons, Ohio State allowed the Nittany Lions to score just one offensive touchdown. Penn State totaled 270 yards in 2024 and 240 the year prior. The Nittany Lions’ offense rushed for a combined total of 169 yards in the two games. Knowles’ 2024 defense became the first in a decade to hold Penn State’s offense without a touchdown.