REPORTS: Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Leaving For Penn State

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is leaving for the same position at Penn State.

Ohio State made an attempt to keep Knowles, whose current contract does not expire for another two years. Knowles was reportedly given an offer to be the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, but he has decided to move on after helping Ohio State win the College Football Playoff National Championship this season.

It has been an eventful three years with the Buckeyes for Knowles, and his defenses improved each season. This year, with a senior-laden group, the Ohio State defense was No. 1 in total defense (254.6 ypg), No. 1 in yards per play allowed (4.19), No. 1 in scoring defense (12.9), and No. 3 in rushing defense (87.63). And all of this despite facing the toughest slate of games in college football history.

While the years have been eventful, things have not always been ideal for Knowles. Turmoil on the defensive staff these past three years may have been a contributing factor to his decision to leave.

Now Ohio State head coach Ryan Day will search for a replacement. That replacement will be working with a defense that loses eight senior starters from this year’s championship squad.

Buckeye Huddle will continue have more on this story, as well as potential replacements for Jim Knowles. We will also be discussing what we are hearing on the Huddle message board.

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