Ohio State football eyeing huge hire to fill defensive coordinator vacancy

The Ohio State football program has honed in on Jim Knowles to be their next defensive coordinator.

While a corresponding move is needed to make this official, the expectation is for the Ohio State football program to hire Jim Knowles away from Oklahoma State to be the Buckeyes’ next defensive coordinator.

The belief is this move will happen sometime after Early Signing Day later this month. Knowles was a finalist for the Broyles Award, which goes out to the top assistant coach in college football. While he had been a candidate to replace Brent Pry at Penn State, who takes over the Virginia Tech program, or stay put in Stillwater with a hefty raise, Knowles is expected to go to Columbus.

Ohio State is totally focused on recruitment heading into the final days before Early Signing Day.

Update: The hire has now been officially reported.

Ohio State football rumors: Oklahoma State DC Jim Knowles to join Buckeyes

Prior to joining Mike Gundy’s Oklahoma State staff, Knowles was best known for his coaching connection with former Duke head coach David Cutcliffe. Knowles worked for Cutcliffe twice, briefly at Ole Miss before taking over at his alma mater Cornell, and for nearly a decade in Durham after that. Knowles is 56-year-old and has been a Power Five defensive coach since 2010.

For Ohio State, hiring Knowles is obvious. The Buckeyes struggled on that side of the ball and this is why they did not make the College Football Playoff. As for Knowles, he is at the zenith of his coaching profession. He will never be a hotter commodity than this offseason. While he may have a great job at Oklahoma State, getting to be the defensive coordinator at Ohio State is next level.

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