Ohio State makes hiring of Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator official

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has its next defensive coordinator: Jim Knowles is officially the guy.

The Buckeyes didn’t waste much time identifying their top target, and the most prized assistant commodity on the coaching market was quick to accept what is expected to be a multimillion-dollar offer to come take over the Silver Bullets.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to Lettermen Row that Knowles had emerged as the guy for Ryan Day over the last week, impressing with the work he did steadily improving the Cowboys into one of the most formidable defenses in the country in a difficult spot to do so. His previous head-coaching experience was also a plus since the Buckeyes will be empowering him as the leader of that unit while Day remains more focused on the offense in addition to his duties as the head of the program.

Knowles is not expected to start until after the Rose Bowl. No corresponding announcement on the coaching staff at Ohio State to make room for him has been officially confirmed by the program.

“We’re just going to do the best we can,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said on Sunday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. “I mean, we’re always going to be evaluating and seeing what’s the best to move forward. And if there’s any updates on that, I’ll let you guys know.

“As we head into this bowl time right now, recruiting is crazy. So we’re focused on that, we’re focused on these guys, we’re focused on the bowl game right now. You know, that’s really where our focus is right now.”

The future has now come into much clearer perspective for Ohio State as well.

Jim Knowles is officially going to be a key part of it for the Buckeyes as the next defensive coordinator.