REPORT: Penn State football engaged in full-blown bidding war with nation’s top programs for Ohio State DC

Penn State football is nearing the end of Week 2 of its search for a new defensive coordinator. But as we head into the weekend, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are reportedly swinging for the fences, aiming for a hire that would make the wait worthwhile.

According to reports from Zach Barnett and John Brice of FootballScoop on Thursday night, Penn State football is actively pursuing Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. The third-year Buckeyes assistant coach had been rumored as a potential candidate earlier in the search. Interest has renewed since Ohio State emerged victorious from Monday night’s National Championship.

The only issue is the Nittany Lions aren’t the only team interested in acquiring Knowles’s services. The main competitor appears to be Oklahoma, with Knowles even garnering questions about the opening in the run-up to Monday’s title game. Knowles spent three seasons as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State before moving to Columbus; his fiancée reportedly still lives in the Sooner State.

James Franklin, Penn State football, reportedly going all in on Jim Knowles

© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Per FootballScoop’s reporting, Oklahoma was set to offer Knowles up to $3 million per year for its coordinator position. However, James Franklin and Penn State seem to be placing all their chips at the center of the table, putting up a $3.2 million offer.

Those reported salary figures don’t appear to include the cost of buying Knowles out of his contract at Ohio State, which runs through 2026. Making $2.2 million per year, a buyout would cost an additional $1.2 million this offseason. According to Barnett and Brice, Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are “confident” they will be able to retain Knowles, even as he fields multiple offers.

Not to muddy the waters any further, but now National Runner-Up Notre Dame has also entered the mix. The Fighting Irish are in need of a new defensive coordinator after Penn State football letterman Al Golden left South Bend for the same role with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals this week.

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Jim Knowles is undoubtedly the most coveted name on the defensive side of the football this winter. He orchestrated a Buckeyes defense that led the nation in scoring and yards allowed this season.

A native Philadelphian, Knowles is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep. In addition to his numerous stops in almost every power conference, he spent six seasons as the head coach at his alma mater, Cornell.

Of course, Penn State football is in search of a new defensive coordinator after Tom Allen left for the same role at Clemson early last week.

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