This article has been updated with new information regarding Jim Knowles’ move to Tennessee.
After just one season with the program, Penn State and head coach Matt Campbell are reportedly moving on from defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Campbell, who was hired by the Nittany Lions on Dec. 8, has decided not to retain Knowles on his staff next season.
Knowles is reportedly planning to accept the same position at Tennessee, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, though a deal is yet to be finalized between the defensive coordinator and the Volunteers.
After this season, Penn State still owes Knowles more than $7 million on the two years left on his deal with the Nittany Lions. The figure for the defensive coordinator’s potential buyout still being negotiated.
Knowles joined former Penn State head coach James Franklin’s staff just six days after winning the national championship with Ohio State in 2024. Though Franklin was fired halfway through the season after just a 3-3 record, Knowles finished out the year, helping lead Penn State to a 6-6 record in 2025.
Despite bringing a championship pedigree to the Nittany Lions, Knowles and the Penn State defense struggled throughout the season, finishing significantly worse in most statistical categories than the year prior.
In 2025 Penn State’s defense ranked 34th in total defense (334.3 yards allowed per game), and 37th in scoring defense allowing 21.4 points per game. Comparatively, in 2024 the Nittany Lions had the seventh-ranked total defense (294.8), and the eighth-best mark of 16.5 allowed.
Prior to his time at Penn State, Knowles spent the previous three seasons as the defensive coordinator for Ohio State and previously held the same role at Oklahoma State from 2018-21. He spent 2010-17 as Duke’s defensive coordinator while also serving as the team’s safeties coach from 2010-11 and its inside linebackers coach from 2015-17.
Knowles has only had one stint as a head coach, earning a 26-34 record with the Cornell over six seasons from 2004-09.
