Penn State has appointed former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles as their new head coach, marking a significant hire in college football. The Buckeyes finished the season with one of the best defenses in FBS, ranking first in total defense and third in rushing defense while also topping the nation in scoring defense.
Known for his coaching prowess at Ohio State, where he led the Buckeyes to back-to-back national championships, Knowles will bring a proven track record of success to Penn State. His salary package, which includes bonuses based on the Buckeyes’ national title performance, is reportedly close to $3 million annually, surpassing previous coordinators like Michigan’s Wink Martindale and LSU’s Blake Baker.
Penn State extended an offer that would have made Knowles the highest-paid coordinator in the FBS, with a reported base salary of around $2.6 million. The Nittany Lions are now set to defend their conference crown with a strong defense, returning key players like defensive tackle Zane Durant and safety Zakee Wheatley.
The Buckeyes will look to build on their recent dominance when they face Penn State in the season opener on November 1.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-hiring-dc-jim-knowles-from-ohio-state-making-him-highest-paid-coordinator-in-cfb-203152700.html