Former Ohio State DC Jim Knowles could be the fit for a major SEC defensive coordinator job that just opened up
Ex-Ohio State DC Jim Knowles might be the guy for an open SEC job.
The Ohio State Buckeyes lost both coordinators after last season and that immediately left Ryan Day with a decision to make on who their replacements would be. Day ended up making the right decision by naming Matt Patricia the new defensive coordinator to replace Jim Knowles and Brian Hartline as the new offensive play caller to take over for Chip Kelly.
Knowles and Kelly’s new gigs haven’t worked out and both are out of jobs currently. Knowles was a part of the James Franklin staff at Penn State and with Franklin out and Matt Campbell in — Knowles very well could soon be let go from his position as well. Knowles is already being brought up for a new job if he does indeed exit Penn State.
Josh Heupel could bring on Jim Knowles to be the next defensive coordinator at Tennessee
On Monday, news broke that Tennessee would be moving on from defensive coordinator Tim Banks. Banks led a good Tennessee defense in 2024, but this season the Volunteers’ defense took a step back. As a result, Banks is out of a job and a major SEC coordinator job is now open. Here at A to Z Sports, Knowles has been named as a potential hire for Tennessee as the DC.
“Tennessee saw Knowles firsthand in the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff. Knowles, then the defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes, held Tennessee’s offense to just 17 points. Knowles left Columbus for Penn State after the 2024 season, but the Nittany Lions’ season quickly went off the rails (head coach James Franklin was fired in October). Knowles spent eight seasons at Duke working under David Cutcliffe, a former Tennessee offensive coordinator.” — Zach Ragan, A to Z Sports Tennessee
Knowles spent three seasons as the Ohio State defensive coordinator in 2022. It took time for the system that Knowles utilizes to get going in Columbus, but it did by 2024, and it helped the Buckeyes capture a national championship, which included a 42-17 win over Tennessee in the College Football Playoff. Before joining the Buckeyes, Knowles spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator for Oklahoma State. Knowles’ only SEC experience was when he coached linebackers at Ole Miss in 2003.
Ohio State bringing in Patricia was a major win and the Buckeyes have averaged just 8.2 points per game allowed this season. The Buckeyes are first in the nation in that stat, as well as yards allowed per game at 213.5. As for their former defensive coordinator, don’t be surprised if Tennessee ends up picking up the phone to fill a key opening.
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