The Best Defensive Mind In College Football Opens Up: Jim Knowles Exclusive
“The last thing I tell the guys before they leave the locker room for the game is, ‘All your mistakes are on me today,’” Knowles said.
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Hey friends,
In this episode of “Next Up,” first-year Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles opened about his journey to Happy Valley and what it means to be at the school he grew up idolizing.
From his first impressions of the Penn State culture to the fast-moving process that led him to take the job, Knowles discussed his veteran mindset that makes him one of college football’s top defensive minds.
During our interview, he broke down how he’s merging his aggressive philosophy with Penn State’s proud defensive tradition, what great programs all have in common, and why caring for players is the foundation of elite teams.
This episode is a must-watch if you’re a college football fan, a young coach, or someone who seeks behind-the-scenes action at elite programs.
Let’s dive into my top three takeaways from my sit-down with Knowles:
1️⃣ Embrace Old School Culture
Throughout the Nittany Lions’ storied history on the gridiron, Penn State has embraced its identity as “Linebacker U,” reflected in the program’s tough, hard-nosed edge that has carried into claiming top defensive units under James Franklin.
In 2024, Franklin’s defense concluded the campaign ranked No. 7 in total defense, as his squad surrendered just 295 yards per game.
However, the nation’s top defense this past season resided in Columbus, Ohio, under the tutelage of coordinator Jim Knowles.
During his third season at Ohio State, the 60-year-old defensive guru helped the Buckeyes finish first nationally in scoring defense, first in red zone defense, and first in yards allowed.
After aiding Ohio State to its second national championship in 10 seasons in January, Knowles sought out Penn State’s vacancy at defensive coordinator, as he yearned to don the blue and white and be part of the Nittany Lions’ throwback culture.
“I love it,” Knowles said on Penn State. “I mean, it’s everything I hoped for. It’s really a family, you get a sense of everyone committed to one cause and guys pulling in the same direction… Everyone is really professional.”
Through Knowles’ first spring in Happy Valley, the Philadelphia native has enjoyed a welcomed return back to the Keystone State.
His new defense was able to retain several key stars from a season ago, including Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, Zakee Wheatley, AJ Harris, and Tony Rojas, who are all responsible for bringing back 53% of their unit’s total production.
While several of the names above could’ve entered the transfer portal to seek more lucrative NIL deals or forgo additional eligibility in favor of the NFL Draft, Franklin’s “transformational, not transactional” approach lured each prospect back to campus.
Knowles has quickly grown accustomed to Franklin’s mentality, which he deems as “old school.”
“What stuck out to me is, I guess [the] old school [mentality], if I could put a name to it,” Knowles told me. “Just in the manner and the way that Coach Franklin operates the program with culture, and connectivity, and caring about people… It seems like a real community of people working together.”
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2️⃣ Dreams Never Die
As a young, aspiring defensive end himself, Knowles constantly had childhood visions of moving from Philadelphia to Happy Valley to eventually put on the pads for Joe Paterno.
On fall Sundays, Knowles would routinely tune into local Penn State football highlight shows to watch detailed breakdowns of each contest from the previous afternoon.
While Knowles ended up playing football at Cornell from 1983 to 1986, he still feels as though his latest career move fulfills the culmination of a lifelong dream.
“It was surreal for me, you know?” Knowles said on accepting the Penn State defensive coordinator vacancy. “Really, the culmination of a lot of hard work and a dream.”
Since 2003, Knowles has compiled an extensively diverse coaching portfolio. He served as an assistant at every Power Four conference, including stops at Ole Miss, Duke, Oklahoma State, and Ohio State, while also spending five years as an Ivy League head coach at his alma mater, Cornell.
After 36 years of hard-earned experience, Knowles feels as though he’s right where he was always destined to be.
“You have these dreams when you get into the profession of not only reaching the highest level but being able to coach at the school that you were a fan of when you were a young boy,” Knowles told me. “… And, watching it on TV, and thinking that Penn State was everything great about college football.”
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3️⃣ Don’t Point Fingers
During Knowles’ four-year stint as Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator, he improved the Cowboys’ total defense rank by over 15 spots nationally each season on staff.
In 2018, Oklahoma State’s defense ranked 97th out of 130 total teams. By 2021, Knowles’ crew finished 5th.
Expectedly, Knowles’ track record of consistent development held up at Ohio State.
He transformed the Buckeyes’ defense into a top 25 scoring defense by his first year. The next year, the Buckeyes’ ranked second in that category, before finishing his tenure with the No. 1 overall defense in 2024.
Throughout Knowles’ nearly four decades of coaching experience, he’s never once pointed his finger at players for poor defensive showings. In his estimation, all shortcomings reflect his own performance.
“The last thing I tell the guys before they leave the locker room for the game is, ‘All your mistakes are on me today,’” Knowles said. “’I mean, all your good plays are on you, but all your mistakes are on me, because if you make a mistake, you’re not trying to make a mistake.’”
Aside from Knowles’ impressive track record, Franklin endlessly pounded the table to bring the veteran leader into his locker room due to the care he openly expresses for his players.
His commitment and positive demeanor directly align with the head coach’s core values, which have stood as cultural pillars since 2014.
“As long as [the players] know that you’re going to have their back… if something goes wrong, there’s not going to be a bunch of finger pointers,” Knowles said. “Coaches are going to accept responsibility, too. I think that also brings a lot of belief from the players.”
To watch my entire interview with Knowles, click here.
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Shoutout to Connor Krause for helping to write this newsletter and putting it together!
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