Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Drew Allar’s revelation is going to have Buckeye Nation very unhappy with former Ohio State DC Jim Knowles

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 9:31 AM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes didn’t have long to celebrate their national championship win last season, as they immediately had to turn their attention to roster retention and coaching changes.

The biggest offseason shock for Ohio State was likely the departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who left to take the same position at Big Ten rival Penn State.

After three seasons in Columbus, Knowles returned to his home state of Pennsylvania to lead the Nittany Lions’ defense. It appears he’s already helping his new team prepare for the Buckeyes in any way he can.

Drew Allar reveals Jim Knowles is helping him prepare for Ohio State

“I’ve actually been able to sit down with [Knowles] and a couple of guys that he brought over from Ohio State, and really sit back and watch the game from last year and just really understand their philosophy,” Allar said last week at Big Ten Media Days. “Why they were calling certain things and maybe the tells that I had, we had as an offense.”

Knowles will face his former team on Nov. 1, when the Buckeyes host Penn State in Week 10 of the college football season. Naturally, Knowles will be looking to get one back against Ohio State, while the Buckeyes’ defense—at least players who played under him—will be eager to make a statement against Allar and the Nittany Lions.

Penn State returns a wealth of talent, including running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Allar’s return for another season, along with the hiring of Knowles, were significant offseason wins for the program.

“I think [the Knowles hire] helps all of us. We do self-scouts all the time—we have the defense analyze the offense, the offense analyze the defense, and special teams,” head coach James Franklin explained. “But when you’re buddies, sometimes you’re honest, but you also sugarcoat things. We were able to get his Ohio State game plan and evaluation of us and our personnel—something he had done before he was in our office—and hand it to us. That was really valuable.”

Coaching changes are a regular part of college football, especially at the coordinator level. Still, Penn State bringing in Knowles is undoubtedly something the Buckeyes will be watching closely.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: