The Ohio State Buckeyes will look different when the 2025 college football season begins, with major changes on the horizon. Head coach Ryan Day had already anticipated the challenge of keeping key players from transferring to other programs, and with several prominent players entering the 2025 NFL draft, the team was bracing for departures. However, the situation has now taken an unexpected turn as Day faces another obstacle: a shake-up in his coaching staff. A Big Ten rival has successfully lured away a key assistant coach from Ohio State despite the Buckeyes’ efforts to retain him with a significant contract offer.
Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is set to join Penn State as their new defensive coordinator under head coach James Franklin. This move comes at a time when Ohio State was celebrating its national championship in Columbus. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Knowles is finalizing a three-year deal with Penn State, which will average $3.1 million annually over the course of the contract.
According to On3.com’s Andy Staples, Knowles was on track to become the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football history. Staples further confirmed that Ohio State had made an offer that would have made Knowles the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the nation, but Knowles ultimately decided to weigh his options and is expected to sign the lucrative deal with Penn State.
As a result of this unexpected departure, Ohio State will now be on the lookout for a new defensive coordinator as the 2025 season approaches. This news broke just as Ohio State fans gathered at Ohio Stadium to celebrate the team’s national championship victory. During the celebration, star Buckeyes pass rusher Jack Sawyer spoke about the team’s resilience and the spirit of Ohioans, saying, “What I love about this team is it really embodies what it’s like to be from Ohio. You get punched in the mouth, you always get back up and keep fighting. That’s what everybody in Ohio does and will continue to do.” Despite the loss of Knowles, the Buckeyes are determined to carry on that fighting spirit.