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Penn State, Notre Dame reportedly join Oklahoma in pursuit of Jim Knowles

Spenser Davis

By Spenser Davis

Published:

Penn State and Notre Dame are reportedly in the mix to hire Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

Oklahoma has been linked to Knowles for the last couple of weeks, but the Sooners now face tough competition for Knowles’ services according to a report. Per FootballScoop, Penn State is prepared to offer Knowles $3.2 million annually.

FootballScoop’s report also says that Notre Dame has also shown interest in the veteran defensive coordinator following Al Golden’s departure to the NFL. As for Oklahoma, the report says OU is “prepared to offer” $3 million a year to make Knowles its next defensive coordinator.

FootballScoop previously reported this as a “complicated” situation and indicated a timeline for a final decision is uncertain.

Knowles has spent the last 3 seasons in Columbus as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator. He was the architect of one of the nation’s best defenses in 2024 and helped lead the Buckeyes to the National Championship earlier this week.

Knowles has long been paid as one of the best defensive coordinators in the sport. According to USA Today’s assistant coaching salaries database, Knowles made $2.2 million in 2024. That ranked No. 3 nationally amongst all coordinators behind only LSU’s Blake Baker and Michigan’s Wink Martindale.

Spenser Davis

Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.

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