Knowles has succeeded at the highest level and completely remodeled an Ohio State defense that just won the national championship. But a long history of good defense at Penn State means his next steps won't be so clear-cut.

Knowles won a national title as Ohio State's defensive coordinator last month. He is happy to relocate to a program he followed as a child.

Jim Knowles will enter his 38th season as a college coach in 2025. Penn State will be the seventh different school he’s worked at and the fifth different place he’s been a defensive coordinator. The 59-year-old Philadelphia native has been a head coach once,