Jim Knowles has officially swapped his scarlet and gray for blue and white, leaving many Buckeyes fans disappointed with his decision.
Just days after helping Ohio State win a national championship, Knowles made a surprising move, leaving to become Penn State’s new defensive coordinator. While the move is seen as a lateral one, the significant salary increase to over $3 million annually made it a straightforward choice for one of college football’s top defensive strategists.
This one hurts for Ohio State fans. Knowles was instrumental in leading the Buckeyes to the top-ranked defense in the country in 2024, playing a key role in their championship-winning season. Losing him to a conference rival stings, but it’s even harder to watch him settle in with his new team, with Penn State fans giving him such a warm welcome.
Unfortunately too, plenty of people have fallen for a viral image that hit social media showing Knowles in full Penn State gear, wearing a hat that boldly read: “Ohio State Sucks.” This one was photoshopped, showing how nasty things have gotten as a whole with fans:
The situation has stirred up some controversy surrounding Knowles’ departure. Reports suggest he was asked to skip Ohio State’s victory parade celebrating their national championship, as it was clear he was planning to take the Penn State job. The whole situation has left a bad taste for many involved.
Now, Ohio State is faced with the tough challenge of finding his replacement, with rumors also swirling that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly could head to the NFL. As the Buckeyes scramble to fill these key roles, all eyes are on Nov. 1, 2025, when Penn State visits Columbus.
With the emotions running high and Knowles now on the other side, this season’s matchup just became that much more intriguing.
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