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Tennessee Football working to finalize deal with Jim Knowles as new defensive coordinator

On3 imageby: Brent Hubbs7 hours agoBrent_Hubbs

Tennessee Football head coach Josh Heupel is working to finalize a deal for his new defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, sources have confirmed to Volquest.

Knowles, who lead the nation’s top-ranked defense in 2024 during Ohio State’ win the national title’s national championship season, spent the 2025 season at Penn State with James Franklin and wasn’t retained when Matt Campbell was hired from Iowa State to lead the Nittany Lions. 

Heupel has never worked with Knowles but got an up close view of his defense in 2024 in the first round of the College Football Playoff in Columbus, where Ohio State beat Tennessee 42-17. Ohio State in the win held the Vols to just 256 yards of offense, including just 104 yards passing.

Ohio State led the country in scoring defense, total defense in 2024

The 60-year-old Knowles started his coaching career at Cornell, his alma mater, in 1988. After a stop at Western Michigan, Knowles joined David Cutcliffe’s staff at Ole Miss in 2003 as linebackers coach.

Knowles was the head coach at Cornell from 2004-09 and in 2010 he rejoined Cutcliffe at Duke, staying there until 2017. Knowles was Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator from 2018-2021. In those four seasons, the Cowboys defense went from 112th nationally, to 88th, to 44th, and then to No. 4 in 2021. Knowles then joined the Ohio State staff under Ryan Day. 

The Ohio State defense in 2024 led the country in scoring defense and total defense. The Buckeyes were third in passing defense and third in rushing defense. 

Vols owe Tim Bank $4.3 million in buyout money

In 2025 at Penn State, the defense was not as effective as the Nittany Lions gave up 151 rush yards per game and were 34th overall in total defense. Penn State gave up 21 points per game.

Knowles was poached from Ohio State last year thanks largely due to a three-year deal that paid an average of $3.1 million per year. The deal’s incentives could have seen Knowles top out around $4 million in total.

Heupel fired Tim Banks on Monday, after five seasons as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator. The Vols owe Banks $4.3 million due to the two years remaining on the three-year contract Banks signed months ahead of the 2025 season.