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Jim Knowles

Current Position

Defensive Coordinator

Salary

Coach Salaries Index

Salary

$2,000,000

Coach Salaries Index

Alma MaterCornell/ 1987

DegreeIndustrial and Labor Relations

Age60

High SchoolSt. Joseph's Prep School

HometownPhiladelphia, PA

RivalsJim Knowles

Knowles News

onetime-splash-knowles-penn-state-stint-ends-unfulfilled-nittany-lions

Column: Onetime splash, Knowles’ Penn State stint ends unfulfilled for Nittany Lions

Nate Bauer•12/10/25

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Paul Finebaum calls Jim Knowles hire a 'big break' for Josh Heupel, Tennessee

Nick Kosko•12/10/25

penn-state-leans-effort-belief-braces-ohio-state-test

Jim Knowles not being retained at Penn State by Matt Campbell

Nick Kosko•12/10/25

Tennessee defensive coordinator hot board

Tennessee Defensive Coordinator Hot Board: Top candidates to replace Tim Banks

Pete Nakos•12/08/25

Penn State Nittany Lions-Matt Campbell

Matt Campbell building out Penn State staff, working on roster retention

Pete Nakos•12/08/25

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Ryan Day answers if he saw extra motivation in Ohio State players to beat Jim Knowles

Nick Kosko•11/03/25

Coaching History

Tennessee

Defensive Coordinator2026 - present

Penn State

Defensive Coordinator2025 - present

Ohio State

Defensive Coordinator2022 - 2024

Oklahoma State

Defensive Coordinator2019 - 2021

Oklahoma State

Assistant Head Coach2018 - 2018

Duke

Defensive Coordinator2010 - 2017

Cornell

Head Coach2004 - 2009

Ole Miss

Linebackers Coach2003 - 2003