However, Knowles wasn’t in attendance. About an hour later, reports surfaced that Knowles is leaving Ohio State to serve as Penn State’s next defensive coordinator. The move leaves Day searching for a replacement. Here’s who he might consider as he enters his seventh season as the Buckeyes' head coach.

The departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles adds a challenge for Ohio State, which was already dealing with heavy roster turnover on defense.

So, would it be too much to ask new Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to be able to multi-task during his three years (minimum) in State College? I don’t see why not. Knowles, who directed a 2024 Ohio State defense that finished No.