James Franklin has picked up his first win over Ohio State since 2016. Penn State poached Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles over the weekend. While Ryan Day and the Buckeyes were busy celebrating their first national title in 10 years with a party at Ohio Stadium,

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left the Buckeyes program in a surprising turn of events, accepting the same job with the Penn State Nittany Lions

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football’s national title defense will come with a new face running the defense. The Buckeyes are losing defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. After three seasons in Columbus, he’s leaving to serve as Penn State’s defensive coordinator.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day spent the weekend celebrating the program's ninth national championship, a crowning achievement for a group that had operated like one of the best teams in the country all year and then played some of its best football in the biggest moments with a challenging run through the College Football Playoff.

One of the most surprising coaching moves of the college football offseason was former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles heading to Penn State to serve in the same role for the Buckeyes' Big Ten rival. The Pennsylvania native had just helped lead Ohio State and the nation's top defense to a College Football Playoff national championship.

In a shocking turn of events, things appear to be getting worse for Ohio State following its national title. On Sunday, multiple reports have indicated that the

Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is reportedly headed to Penn State to serve in the same role, and Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin shared a message in response to the major news.

James Franklin and new Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles released statements after Knowles was hired on Monday.

Ohio State and Penn State are Big Ten rivals. The Buckeyes have won the last eight games in the series, and in 2024, Ohio State won 20-13 in University Park. Knowles will make his return to Columbus next season on Nov. 1.

The Ohio State Buckeyes will be losing their top two running backs this offseason, as both Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson have declared for the NFL Dra

The network placed him at No. 3 on its top-10 list, behind only Kirby Smart (Georgia) and Ryan Day ( Ohio State ). Some may find that a bit controversial with the way Georgia has struggled as of late, though Smart has brought what at one point looked like it could be a dynasty to the program.