Penn State: Jim Knowles Expected to Decide Soon

The Knowles bidding war appears to be a three-horse race, possibly even a four-horse race. Per FootballScoop, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State and Notre Dame are all in the mix.

WHAT PENN STATE’S OFFERING

COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 27: Jim Knowles defensive coordinator of the Ohio State Buckeyes addresses members of the media during a press conference held at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus, Ohio on August 27, 2024 (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire)

So what’s Penn State offering Jim Knowles? Well, per FootballScoop, “a package totaling 3.2 million a year.”

This matches up with what Nittany Sports Now has learned. Additionally, FootballScoop reported that Oklahoma “is prepared to offer up to 3 million,” which would be less than what Penn State’s offering. As for Ohio State, well, FootballScoop reported that, as of its article, which ran Thursday night, Ohio State was confident they’d keep him.

If money is the deciding factor and the race is between Penn State and Oklahoma, it appears PSU would be the favorite.

But another factor is that Knowles’ fiancé, per FootballScoop, lives in Oklahoma. Knowles also knows the state, having been Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator from 2018-21.

Although things can change, there’s nothing that Nittany Sports Now has heard or that another outlet has reported that would suggest that Notre Dame is a major factor for Knowles.

Knowles is under contract at Ohio State through 2026 and is Ryan Day’s highest-paid assistant at $2.2 million a year.

FootballScoop did report Thursday that “at about 3 p.m. today, one industry source told FootballScoop, he (Knowles) had (Ryan) Day, (James) Franklin, (Brent) Venables and (Marcus) Freeman pissed off at him.”

“It would cost approximately $1.2 million — 30 percent of the remaining contract — to get Knowles out of that pact, per a portion of Knowles’s contract that FootballScoop reviewed,” FootballScoop wrote.

JAMES IS A FAN OF JIM

Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now

Penn State coach James Franklin will never go by “Jim,” but he is a big fan of Jim Knowles.

Here’s what Franklin had to say about him during a past press conference.

“Defensively Jim Knowles, who is also a PA guy, is doing a really good job with their defense, and has now for the last couple years. Multiple, multiple scheme defense,” said Franklin. “Obviously, the last two years they’ve played really good defense. Really over the last number of years they’ve played really good defense. But I think since Coach Knowles has been there, he’s taken them to a whole ‘nother level.”

Ohio State’s championship parade is scheduled for Sunday. Whether or not that will impact the timing of Knowles’ decision is unknown.