Jim Knowles reveals why timing was right for move from Ohio State to Penn State

During his introduction this week in Happy Valley, Jim Knowles explained his decision to leave now from Ohio State for Penn State.

Knowles’ first question as the Nittany Lions’ defensive coordinator earlier this week was why he left Columbus this offseason for State College. He first began by sharing his appreciation for his three years with the Buckeyes, specifically this past season with them having won the College Football Playoff.

“Yeah, I mean, I’m grateful for my time at Ohio State and the opportunity that Coach Day gave me,” said Knowles. “You know, we had the number one defense in the country. We won a national championship. Had great relationships with the players and with Coach Day and the administration. Felt supported.”

However, Knowles knew this was his chance to come home. Growing up just a few hours away from campus, he thought that Penn State was everything and, as such, he took this opportunity for himself at the age of 59.

“You know, you reach a point in your career where you’re given opportunities based on past performance and, you know, like I’ve said, Penn State, for me, growing up in inner-city Philly, was the epitome of college football, you know, when I was a kid,” said Knowles. “I was never talented enough to make it to Penn State as a player. But, you know, given the opportunity to do it now as a coach? You know, it’s really where I want to be to continue my career and bring any expertise that I can, you know, to the organization.”

Knowles has been a defensive coordinator at the power level for the past decade and a half at Duke, Oklahoma State, and Ohio State. Those 14 units have allowed 24 points, which averaged better than a Top-50 finish nationally, and 374.1 yards a game. That included seven defenses that improved in every season through four years in Stillwater (25.2 points, 385.6 yards) and three in Columbus (15 points, 280.5 yards) with each of his last four finishing in the Top-25 and three of those four finishing in the Top-10.

Now, Knowles will call a defense that has been one of the more successful units in recent seasons. The Nittany Lions have had a Top-10 defense each of the past four years in allowing 16.4 points and 304.7 yards.

Knowles has been one of the better coordinators in the country over this decade. Now was the time to make his next move, though, to his home in working for Penn State.