‘I think I can be of service’: New defensive coordinator Knowles lays out plan to bring title to Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Newly hired defensive coordinator Jim Knowles spoke with the media this afternoon about his early plans to help the Nittany Lions earn their first national title since 1986.

The 59-year-old Knowles is coming off a championship-winning season as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator. The Buckeyes finished with the nation’s top defense, allowing an FBS-fewest 12.9 points per game and 254.6 yards per game.

Knowles said today that those aspirations are unwavering in Happy Valley.

“I am at that point in my career where you focus solely on the job,” Knowles said. “And that is to help Penn State win a national championship and be the number one defense.”

While Knowles has filled the DC role at Western Michigan, Duke and Oklahoma State before his stint in Columbus, he is no stranger to Penn State. As a Philadelphia native, Knowles idolized the blue and white.

The Nittany Lions notched three undefeated seasons and one national title before Knowles went to play for Cornell as a defensive end. He talked about how influential the program was to his formative years.

“Penn State for me, growing up in inner-city Philly, was the epitome of college football,” Knowles said. “Given the opportunity to do it now as a coach is really where I want to be.”

Knowles also attributed his Philadelphia childhood to his philosophy as a coordinator. He has always emphasized tough coaching and demonstrated the importance of not taking anything personally.

“The guys I had as coaches, they were all cops, firemen, maintenance men,” Knowles said. “Under those guys, you have to be willing to accept criticism and respond with toughness.”

These aspects of toughness are one of the reasons why he chose Penn State. Knowles was thankful for his time at Ohio State but pointed out that his reputation with the Buckeyes presented him the chance to return to his home state.

The defensive culture at Penn State also drew Knowles to the organization. Even with James Franklin being a former quarterback, Knowles thought it was very easy to have a conversation about structuring the defense.

“When you look back at [Franklin’s] history, he didn’t really have to sell that,” Knowles said. “They have been through some different coordinators, but they have always had good defense.”

Knowles touched on the emphasis on making sure players are in the right spot to succeed on the field. Sporting the top defense in the nation last year, it was easy to see that Knowles could not only stop opponents but also respond to any challenge an opponent had for him.

“The biggest thing is to make sure we have answers,” Knowles said. “There’s enough disguise built into the defense so that our opponent doesn’t know exactly where we’re in.”

Penn State hired Knowles on a three-year, $9.3 million contract. The deal made Knowles the highest-paid coordinator in college football.

However, the Nittany Lions still sported a top-10 defense nationally. Under Tom Allen, who was hired as Clemson’s DC, Penn State allowed a seventh-best 294.8 yards per game.

Knowles understands that his input is important. But he is also eager to work with a defensive staff that has plenty of success.

“I don’t want to come in and say ‘this is what I’m going to do,’” Knowles said. “We want as much carryover as possible so that we transition as quickly as possible.”

Another aspect of Knowles’s knowledge base comes from the other side of the ball. Ohio State held the Nittany Lions to just one offensive in their last two meetings.

This provides the chance for Knowles to give offensive feedback for Penn State as well. He said the process has already begun in discussing matters with second-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.

“[Kotelnicki] and I are already enhancing ideas,” Knowles said. “It is a balance of how can I do enough that keeps the opponent off balance while also not hindering the athletic ability of the guys to fight back?”

Pat Kraft and James Franklin have put their faith in Jim Knowles to bolster the Penn State program. They believe his combination of toughness, accountability and experience against the Nittany Lions can help make the ultimate push to a national championship.

“I see [Penn State] as so close,” Knowles said. “I think I can help, I think I can be of service.”

Jack Rachinsky is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jjr6682@psu.edu.