Jim Knowles is the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, but he may not be long for Happy Valley with Jon Heacock joining Matt Campbell.
After Penn State ended the 2024 season in the College Football Playoff semifinal, the program went all in on getting those last two wins this season. That included a few key transfer portal additions, but the biggest move was on James Franklin’s coaching staff, hiring defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from the national champions, Ohio State, once Tom Allen left for Clemson.