In hiring Jim Knowles, Penn State followed the adage: If you can't beat them, turn them to your side. While everyone in college football is already talking about Penn State's new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, it's possible that not everyone is realizing how much his betrayal of Ohio State benefits his new club.

Knowles would fill the void on Penn State’s staff left by Tom Allen, who accepted the same position with Clemson earlier this month.

Here are three potential options who could fill the Ohio State Buckeyes' defensive coordinator vacancy in 2025.

Knowles, a Philadelphia native with strong ties to the Northeast, transformed the Buckeyes' defense during an impressive three-year stint. Ohio State ranked top three in total defense each of the past two seasons and led the nation by holding opponents to 254.6 yards per game and 4.2 yards per play during a historic campaign.

As Ohio State’s celebration tour for the school’s ninth national title continues, some of the Buckeyes’ key defensive players are grappling with the departure of their defensive coordinator. Jim Knowles decided to leave Columbus for Big Ten rival Penn State after three years at Ohio State,

According to The Action Network's Brett McMurphy, Knowles was asked by school not to attend Buckeyes’ national title celebration while he deliberated his coaching options. Not long after the rally concluded, it was announced that Knowles was signing a contract to become the next DC for the Penn State Nittany Lions, a major Big Ten rival.

Penn State has lured Tom Knowles away from Ohio State. The Nittany Lions have hired Knowles to serve as their defensive coordinator.

Jim Knowles is expected to take the same position at Penn State, as first reported by Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger. The two sides are finalizing a three-year deal reportedly worth $3.1 million per season, making him the first college football coordinator to earn an annual salary of at least $3 million.

Here’s a round-up of the latest news pertinent to Ohio State’s defensive coordinator search. Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator — and interim head coach (2022) — Jim Leonhard seems to be staying put in the NFL.

The Penn State Nittany Lions pulled off a major coaching shake-up, luring defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from the Ohio State Buckeyes. For Knowles, this move is a dream come true — he’s always wanted to be part of the Nittany Lions program.

Knowles, who directed a 2024 Ohio State defense that finished No. 1 in fewest yards allowed per game (254.6) and No. 1 in fewest points allowed (12.9), should have a Nittany Lions defense that returns Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, Tony Rojas, A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley in the top 10 in 2025.