While there were many rumblings during the CFB Playoffs of Jim Knowles status as Ohio State’s DC for next season, it certainly seems to have legs. While Oklahoma was the talk during the playoffs, Penn State has now become the one being mentioned most. PSU, which recently lost Tom Allen to Clemson, is apparently focusing on the Buckeyes coordinator. Via Alex Gleitman of Lettermen Row:
During the College Football Playoff run, rumors swirled about Knowles leaving OSU after the title game to go to Oklahoma in a lateral move, mainly due to his fiancee living in the Sooner State (with a child). In the last day or two, and really heating up on Thursday, was a rumor that Knowles was engaged with in-conference rival Penn State for their open defensive coordinator position.
After doing some digging into the situation, what I can say is the smoke is absolutely real. I’m not sure of the exact “why” but it seems like Knowles has indeed initiated some conversations to at least explore a route out of Columbus following this season. I am also told by some folks really tied in at the WHAC that if they had to guess, they think Knowles could actually leave his post at Ohio State for the same gig elsewhere.
