Jim Knowles Becomes Nation's Highest-Paid DC at PSU

Jim Knowles departed Ohio State for Penn State after Ohio State failed to offer him a contract extension before their national championship win over Notre Dame, and he was asked not to attend the championship parade, which made him feel unwelcome. Knowles stated he would have stayed with Ohio State if the extension had come before the title game, but the combination of delays and exclusion led him to initiate contact with Penn State. Penn State quickly secured Knowles with a $3.1 million annual contract, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the country. Knowles, who led Ohio State's defense to national prominence, is expected to bolster Penn State's championship ambitions and influence the Big Ten's balance of power. The move is considered one of the offseason's most significant surprises. In the aftermath, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day filled both coordinator positions through a mix of internal and external hires.