Report: During PSU DC talks, Ohio State asked Jim Knowles not to attend the CFP celebration.
In college football, behind-the-scenes dynamics often play a significant role in shaping the course of a program’s success. For Ohio State, a program consistently contending for national championships, the story that unfolded between defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, the university, and the Penn State Nittany Lions’ pursuit of his services has added yet another layer of intrigue. According to recent reports, during the discussions surrounding Knowles’ potential move to Penn State as their defensive coordinator, Ohio State made a rather surprising request: they asked Knowles not to attend the College Football Playoff (CFP) celebration at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
This request, while not necessarily earth-shattering on its own, highlights a series of complexities and strategic considerations that come with such high-stakes coaching moves. Ohio State, a program with aspirations of competing for championships year in and year out, is no stranger to internal and external pressures when it comes to its coaching staff. And for Jim Knowles, a defensive mastermind who played a crucial role in shaping Ohio State’s defensive identity, the question of loyalty, timing, and professional conduct became a focal point in the months leading up to his eventual decision.
In this report, we’ll explore the significance of Ohio State’s request, the larger context behind Knowles’ decision-making process, and what this means for both Ohio State and Penn State moving forward.
The Request: Why Did Ohio State Ask Jim Knowles Not to Attend the CFP Celebration?
To understand why Ohio State would ask Jim Knowles to refrain from attending the CFP celebration, it’s important to contextualize this in the larger landscape of college football coaching. The College Football Playoff is a celebration of not just the teams that have made it to the final four but also the coaching staffs that have brought them to that point. For Ohio State, the 2024 season represented another strong effort, with the team advancing deep into the playoff hunt. However, even as Ohio State prepared for this moment of celebration, there was a growing awareness that some members of the coaching staff were possibly eyeing opportunities elsewhere.
In this case, Jim Knowles, who had been serving as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator since 2022, was the subject of conversations with Penn State, who had begun to actively court him for their own defensive coordinator position. While there were no public announcements at the time, internal discussions at Ohio State likely raised concerns about the optics of Knowles participating in a team celebration event when he may not be fully committed to the program’s future.
The request from Ohio State to have Knowles refrain from attending the CFP celebration may have been motivated by several factors:
1. The Perception of Loyalty and Commitment
Coaching staffs are often expected to be fully committed to their respective programs, particularly during pivotal moments such as postseason play. The CFP celebration is a symbolic and crucial event that reflects the team’s achievements and the collective hard work of everyone involved. Having a coach, especially one in a leadership position like Knowles, absent from that event could send a message to both players and recruits that his commitment to the program was wavering.
For Ohio State, it might have been a strategic move to ensure that Knowles’ potential departure to Penn State was not seen as a distraction or a disruption to the team’s morale, especially during such a high-profile time. This could also be an attempt by the program to control the narrative—by keeping Knowles away from the celebration, Ohio State could better manage how his possible exit was framed in the media and within the locker room.
2. Avoiding Distraction and Uncertainty in the Locker Room
When a coach is rumored to be considering an exit, especially when it involves a highly coveted program like Penn State, it can create an atmosphere of uncertainty within the locker room. Players might wonder if their coach is fully invested in the team’s success or if they’re already mentally checked out. By requesting that Knowles not attend the CFP celebration, Ohio State could have been trying to minimize any potential distraction for their players.
Players are often hyper-aware of what’s happening with their coaches and staff, and if a high-profile coach like Knowles was seen at the celebration but also in talks to leave for another job, it could have led to questions about the program’s future. Ohio State would want to avoid any situation where players felt uncertain about the direction of the team or the focus of the coaching staff.
3. Professional Etiquette and Timing
From a professional perspective, coaching transitions are often handled with a degree of sensitivity. It’s not uncommon for programs to ask coaches to refrain from participating in celebratory events if their departure is imminent or if their future with the team is in question. It’s also a matter of timing—leaving before or during a postseason celebration can sometimes be viewed as poor form. If Knowles had left Ohio State for Penn State while the Buckeyes were celebrating a major achievement, it might have given the impression that he wasn’t fully dedicated to finishing the season with his current team. By asking him to skip the celebration, Ohio State might have been trying to protect Knowles’ reputation and maintain professional decorum.
Knowles’ Decision to Leave for Penn State
The drama surrounding Knowles’ exit from Ohio State and his eventual move to Penn State was the result of both professional and personal considerations. While Ohio State’s defense under Knowles had shown improvement, especially in terms of scheming and performance against top-tier offenses, there were still areas where the team had struggled, particularly in key games against rivals like Michigan and Georgia.
On the other hand, Penn State offered Knowles a significant opportunity to take over a program that was on the rise. With head coach James Franklin continuing to build momentum and Penn State’s defense already being a strong point of the team, Knowles was seen as the missing piece to elevate the Nittany Lions to true national championship contention. The job at Penn State not only represented a fresh challenge but also a chance for Knowles to shape his own defensive identity in a new environment.
While Ohio State had made an effort to retain Knowles, including providing him with a lucrative contract extension, the pull of the Penn State job, along with the opportunity to potentially compete for Big Ten titles and national championships year after year, was ultimately too strong for the veteran defensive coordinator.
What Does This Mean for Ohio State?
For Ohio State, Knowles’ departure represents a significant turning point. The Buckeyes will need to find a new defensive coordinator who can continue the team’s pursuit of a national championship. The hiring of a new defensive coordinator will need to be strategic, as the team has high expectations for its defense, particularly in the Big Ten, where Ohio State has routinely faced high-powered offenses.
Ohio State’s next defensive coordinator will inherit a program that still has elite talent on defense, including players like JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, who are capable of wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. But the challenge will be to bring in someone who can develop and refine that talent while also crafting a defense that can perform consistently at the highest level, especially in key games.
Moreover, Ohio State will have to manage the optics of the coaching change. Knowles had built a reputation for his defensive prowess, and his departure could be seen as a setback, particularly for fans who were hopeful about the team’s defensive trajectory under his guidance. How Ohio State handles the transition—both in terms of hiring a successor and managing the team’s morale—will be critical in maintaining the program’s elite status.
What Does This Mean for Penn State?
For Penn State, the hiring of Jim Knowles is a major victory. The Nittany Lions had a defense that was already one of the best in the Big Ten, and with Knowles at the helm, they hope to further refine their defensive schemes and continue their ascent to national prominence. Knowles brings a wealth of experience, having previously turned around the defenses at Oklahoma State and Ohio State, and he is seen as the ideal candidate to help elevate Penn State’s program.
Under Knowles, Penn State’s defense is likely to become more aggressive, with a focus on creating turnovers and applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This style of play will complement Penn State’s already strong defensive line and linebacking corps, and it could give the Nittany Lions a major edge in the Big Ten.
The Significance of Ohio State’s Request
The request made by Ohio State to Jim Knowles not to attend the CFP celebration reflects the complexities of the coaching carousel and the underlying dynamics of college football programs that are always vying for championships. While the request itself may seem minor, it highlights the intense pressures placed on coaching staffs to maintain focus and unity, especially in the midst of postseason play. Ohio State’s decision to address this issue was likely a strategic one, aimed at maintaining professionalism and minimizing distractions.
For Knowles, the decision to leave for Penn State ultimately came down to a combination of professional and personal motivations. And for both Ohio State and Penn State, his departure and arrival signal the beginning of new chapters. As Ohio State now searches for a new defensive coordinator, the program must focus on maintaining its elite status while managing the challenges posed by coaching transitions. For Penn State, Knowles’ arrival marks a new era of defensive excellence, one that could take them to new heights in the coming years.
Ultimately, coaching changes and requests like this serve as a reminder of the business of college football—a business where decisions made behind the scenes often carry as much weight as those on the field.
