Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will not be with the Lions in 2026

Penn State football and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles are parting ways after just one season in State College, sources told BWI’s Nate Bauer and On3’s Pete Nakos. Bauer reported on Dec. 10 that Knowles was not expected to return to be part of new head coach Matt Campbell’s staff .

Knowles left Ohio State to join James Franklin’s Nittany Lions staff ahead of the 2025 season. He has two years left on the deal he signed then. It’s unclear what the school will owe him in terms of a buyout. Campbell could bring his former Iowa State defensive coordinator, Jon Heacock, with him to State College. However, even if he does, it’s unclear if he would fill the same role with the Lions.

Update: Knowles is negotiating his buyout with Penn State, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, and expected to replace Tim Banks as the Tennessee defensive coordinator. Thamel adds: “Penn State owes him more than $7 million on the two years remaining on his deal, per his contract.”

“I’m grateful for my time at Ohio State and the opportunity that Coach Day gave me,” Knowles said last February. “We had the No. 1 defense in the country, we won a national championship. Had great relationships with the players and with Coach [Ryan] Day and the administration, felt supported.

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

Knowles’ defense had an up-and-down season in 2025. His complicated scheme seemingly took longer for the players to learn than anyone anticipated. The group did play better, but not great, in the second half of the season. All told, his first and only Penn State unit finishes 37th in scoring defense and Nos. 34, 72, and 22 in total, rushing, and pass defense, respectively. The Lions were also 40th in sacks this fall and 94th in turnovers gained. Getting off the field on third down was also a problem. PSU ranked 95th in that category.

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