Jim Knowles left his role as Ohio State's defensive coordinator after the Buckeyes' national championship win, moving to Penn State in a lateral but higher-paid position.

Key Reasons

Knowles cited the delayed timing of Ohio State's contract extension offer, which came after the title game rather than beforehand; he stated he would not have explored other jobs if it had arrived earlier. The post-championship period grew "awkward," especially when Ohio State asked him not to attend the victory parade, signaling to him that his future there was uncertain.

Outcome

He joined Penn State as the nation's highest-paid defensive coordinator at $3.1 million annually, despite initially considering Ohio State's lower offer due to his attachment to the program. Knowles emphasized that tough team dynamics during the 2024 season, like fallout from losses to Oregon and Michigan, did not factor into his decision.