Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Reportedly Met With Duke Regarding Open Head Coaching Position

According to The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles met with Duke on Wednesday regarding their open head coaching position.

Duke is in need of a new head coach after they lost former head coach Mike Elko to Texas A&M in the last week.

Knowles is in the second year of a three-year deal at Ohio State that pays him $1.9 million per year. Knowles was the defensive coordinator at Duke from 2010 to 2017 under then-head coach David Cutcliffe.

Knowles left for Oklahoma State in 2018, where he remained for three years and eventually turned the Cowboys into one of the nation’s top defenses in in 2021.

This year with Ohio State, the Buckeyes have the No. 2 scoring defense in the nation (11.0 ppg), the No. 3 total defense (259.9 ypg), and the No. 2 pass efficiency defense nationally.

Knowles was formerly the head coach at Cornell, which is his alma mater, from 2004-2009 where he amassed a 26-34 record.

Duke star quarterback Riley Leonard announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday.

Ohio State is still awaiting its postseason fate, which will be known Sunday afternoon.

Head coach Ryan Day will meet with the media on Sunday afternoon and will certainly address this situation and several others.

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