Just last season, the Ohio State football program was the king of the college football world after winning the national championship. They went on an epic four-game run to win the national title, beating Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame to do so.

Shortly after that victory, Jim Knowles decided to leave the Ohio State Buckeyes for one of their rivals. He left Columbus to head to Penn State, becoming the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football. It was a nightmare season for Knowles.

Penn State spiraled, losing three games in a row that culminated in James Franklin being fired. The Buckeyes blew out the Nittany Lions, and they haven’t lost in over a year. Meanwhile, Knowles is soon potentially going to be unemployed, as the new Penn State coach is expected to bring in his own defensive coordinator with him.

It’s an eight-year deal for Campbell, with sources telling @On3sports that Campbell will work to bring DC Jon Heacock with him to Happy Valley. https://t.co/G8IMqpjxTp

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) December 6, 2025Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles could be out of a job soon after leaving Buckeyes

New Penn State head coach Matt Campbell signed an eight-year deal to be the head coach of the Nittany Lions. According to Pete Nakos, Campbell is working to bring defensive coordinator Jon Heacock with him from Iowa State. That means that Knowles would be without a job less than a year after winning a national championship.

Knowles will likely get paid the full amount in his contract if he doesn’t return, so he is still going to make a lot of money. It’s unlikely he’ll be without a job for too long if Campbell brings in his own guy. He’s still respected as a defensive coordinator, even if Penn State’s defense wasn’t very good this season. His install usually takes about three years to get results.

Knowles chased the money when Ryan Day was ready to offer him a fair contract extension. Instead of sticking it to the Buckeyes, Knowles now probably has to find a new place to work. Meanwhile, Matt Patricia has Ohio State playing the best defense of anyone in the last decade.

Ohio State fans are certainly glad Knowles left. Patricia has been nothing short of fantastic.