After Michigan football ran, ran again, and ran some more against rival Ohio State in 2021, Ryan Day recognized that he needed to make something of a drastic change. Out was longtime OSU staffer Kerry Coombs as the defensive coordinator, and in was Oklahoma State DC Jim Knowles.

As Ryan Day looks to hire his fourth defensive coordinator in seven seasons, here are potential candidates to replace Jim Knowles.

Ohio State has lost its defensive coordinator to a Big Ten rival. Penn State announced Monday it had hired Jim Knowles as its defensive coordinator. According to multiple reports, Knowles reached a three-year contract with an average annual salary of $3.

Nittany Lions coach James Franklin seeks to make a bold move, hiring the architect of the Buckeyes' championship defense.

CBS Sports reports that Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is leaving the Buckeyes to join James Franklin's staff at Penn State. Knowles is expected to be paid an average of $3.1 million over three years, according to ESPN . During Knowles' time at Ohio State, the Buckeyes ranked in the top three in total defense for two of those years.

Answering your questions about Ohio State's national title run and what's next with Jim Knowles and a long list of seniors leaving.

So, would it be too much to ask new Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to be able to multi-task during his three years (minimum) in State College? I don’t see why not.

An Ohio State Buckeyes defender could not be more ready to get revenge on former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.