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Ohio State fans are furious after new details on Knowles' departure
Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, formerly Ohio State defensive coordinator. Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Ohio State fans are furious after learning that Jim Knowles initiated move to Penn State

By Chris Peterson  |  Last updated May 7, 2025 8:35 AM ET

Ohio State fans are focusing their hatred on a new enemy Tuesday (not Michigan) after ESPN revealed more details about the departure of former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to Penn State this offseason.

In an interview with ESPN's Heather Dinich, there are some interesting revelations about the abrupt departure of Knowles just days after the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame to win the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Instead of celebrating the national title, Knowles was dialing James Franklin, the head coach of Ohio State's rival, at 5:06 a.m. two days after the win over the Fighting Irish.

Franklin told ESPN he didn't know "how serious" it was. 

Knowles was deadly serious. Ohio State didn't give him a new deal after the season, or before the Notre Dame game, as he wanted. 

So Knowles, a Pennsylvania native, acted with his own best interest in mind. After the call to Franklin, Knowles eventually signed a $3.1 million deal to leave Ohio State for a program it has dominated.

The Nittany Lions are 1-10 against Ohio State under Franklin. They haven't beaten the Buckeyes since 2016. 

Knowles is part of the reason why. His defenses have limited Penn State to a combined 25 points the past two seasons. That's also what makes his departure so personal for Ohio State fans.

Ohio's Tate, a Barstool personality, summed up the mood of Buckeye Nation pretty well with a post on X: 

Others voiced their displeasure with one Ohio State fan calling Knowles "a traitor."

Knowles' request to Ohio State for a new contract came in the middle of the Buckeyes' playoff run. That's a bit odd. If Knowles had waited until after the national title game, surely Ohio State would have honored his request for another raise. Knowles did sign an extension after the 2023 season, after all.

"Ohio State didn't want to do it," Knowles said to ESPN. "And so then all of a sudden it becomes a rush at that point because people are trying to make decisions on other jobs. They want to know whether you're interested or not."

Regardless, that refusal led Knowles to Penn State. Franklin didn't pursue him, but he landed what could be a game-changing defensive coordinator.

Things did get "awkward," according to what Knowles told ESPN. When Ryan Day learned that his defensive coordinator was exploring a move to Penn State, Knowles was asked not to attend the national championship parade, as he was weighing offers from Penn State and Ohio State.

Matt Patricia replaced Knowles. It's an open question if he can find success as he once did as Patriots defensive coordinator, although at Ohio State, there will be no shortage of talent. 

However, if Patricia struggles and Knowles succeeds, things will get awkward in a different way. 

Regardless, the game in Columbus on Nov. 1 will be must-see TV. And for one day at least, Ohio State fans are directing their anger somewhere besides "That Team Up North." 

Chris Peterson

Chris is a sports fanatic with 20 years of sports writing experience. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, FanSided and Yardbarker. He’s covered the NFL, high school sports and everything in between. 

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