Ohio State offers Jim Knowles contract extension amid Oklahoma, Penn State interest, per report

Ohio State and Ryan Day extended a contract extension offer to Jim Knowles, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Knowles, who helped the Buckeyes to a national championship earlier, is linked to defensive coordinator openings at both Oklahoma and Penn State. Knowles was the third-highest paid coordinator in all of college football this past season, earning $2.2 million in a base salary as part of a three-year extension signed last January. That contract expires on Jan. 31, 2027.

LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker ($2.5 million) and Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale ($2.3 million) were the only two assistant coaches with higher 2024 salaries than Knowles. Martindale earns $2.75 million next season with the Wolverines.

Ohio State led the FBS in scoring defense during their national championship run this season, holding opponents to just 12.9 points per game. The Buckeyes ranked first nationally in total yards allowed per play (4.19), second in yards per rush attempt allowed (2.65) and tied for sixth in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0). 

Oklahoma has yet to hire a new defensive coordinator since Zac Alley left for the same position at West Virginia in late December. The Sooners are expected to put together an aggressive offer to try to lure Knowles away from Ohio State, according to Sooners Illustrated.

Knowles has also been mentioned in connection to the Penn State defensive coordinator vacancy after Tom Allen left for the same position at Clemson shortly after the Nittany Lions were eliminated from the College Football Playoff. 

Knowles was asked about the reported interest from Oklahoma last Saturday prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, but offered little comment.

“Beat Notre Dame; that’s all I’m focused on,” Knowles said. “These things happen, I guess, when you have success, players are making plays. My job is to put them in the best position. These things come up when you do well.”

Knowles finished his third season at Ohio State. He has nearly 40 years of coaching experience at the college level having recently served as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State (2018-21) and Duke (2010-17). Knowles was the head coach at Cornell (2004-09) before returning to the FBS level. 

Knowles improved the Oklahoma State defense in each of his three seasons with the program, becoming a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to honor the best assistant coach in college football, after the 2021 campaign. 

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Day announced the hiring of Knowles on Dec. 7, 2021. The Buckeyes made a significant jump defensively after his first season, ranking top three nationally in points allowed per game (11.2), passing yards allowed per game (145.9) and total yards allowed per game (265.4).