Bucknuts Morning 5: Why did Knowles leave for PSU? | Likely candidates to replace him?

Well, we thought there was a good chance Jim Knowles would not return as Ohio State's defensive coordinator next season. But we did not initially see him jumping to another Big Ten team. However, on Sunday, it was revealed that Knowles will take the same position at Penn State. What led to this? Who are some possible candidates to replace him at OSU?
Dave Biddle and Dan Rubin cover that and much more on the Monday 5ish.

[@Buckeyes1fan]

2:13 We are National Champions. I'm happy as hell. Thank you Jim for the #1 defense in the country this year

[@terrythompson1980]

Some are really bitter about this but it happens when you win games unfortunately!. If he wasn’t happy with some of the staff then go elsewhere. They’re not going to bring in just anyone to replace him. OSU will be doing their homework!!. Go Bucks

[@bucknado9748]

Ryan Day has matured in assistant hiring. I trust he's on top of it. What a run from where we were after the Mizzu debacle

[@theonly_VT]

You two talking about everyone but Tim. He's been a DC at the college level and the NFL. No player is following no damn Jim Knowles to no PSU.

[@myko6338]

That's a fact. I could definitely see Tim as DC plus he's a hell of a recruiter.

[@edwardcorino8327]

Don’t let the door hit you Jim

[@terrythompson1980]

He did help with winning the championship, so it’s okay to move on!. It happens EVERYWHERE!!! Go Bucks

[@shawnod413]

Jim Knowles is a great defensive coordinator and I’m not going to act like he sucks just because he left…… but I lost all respect for him when he didn’t show up for those kids yesterday at the championship celebration.

[@SteveAllen-x2m]

😢

[@terrythompson1980]

That aggravated me more than anything, if he wanted to leave after that then go!!. But whatever

[@thejuan113]

He wasn’t allowed to go dude…

[@timothycunningham3983]

DAY SAYS CULTURE AT OHIO STATE IS IMPORTANT. AND IT IS GETTING THE PLAYERS TO BUY INTO IT IS VERY VALUABLE IF IT IS THE RIGHT KIND. BUT DOES DAY AND THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR PUT THE SAME STANDARD ON THE COACHING STAFF? I REALLY THINK THEY SHOULD IF NOT. IF KNOWLES ONLY HAD A 3 YEAR CONTRACT WITH OHIO STATE THEN THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT THAT IF HE DIDN’T WANT TO RENEW IT. FOR WHAT EVER REASON. IF IT WAS BECAUSE HE COULDN’T GET ALONE WITH ANOTHER COACH THEN THATS A DIFFERENT REASON AND DEPENDING ON WHO THAT WAS OHIO STATE MIGHT BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT HIM. IT TOOK A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN JUST KNOWLES ALONE TO GET THE DEFENSE WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE. HE HAD A SYSTEM THAT WAS DIFFERENT BUT IT TOOK OTHER COACHES AND CERTAIN CAPABLE PLAYERS TO MAKE IT WORK AS IT DID. HE HADN’T STAYED LONG AT ANY ONE PLACE. SO HE WON’T BE AT PENN STATE VERY LONG EITHER.

[@MichaelWilson-gi3gp]

Nature of THEE business 🏆NEXT MAN UP 👍🏻That’s THEE way Buckeye Nation rolls 😎

[@afcnorthchamps2011]

Not gonna lie I know next man up but Knowles was right on his assessment once we went away from bull rushing and started to stunt the defensive line sacks came in droves. Knowles was the defensive coordinator it’s his ship to run not Larry who I love and respect but Larry isn’t the defensive coordinator he’s an assistant. A veteran well respected coach but still not the defensive coordinator and he is retiring soon or at least before Knowles will be done

[@terrythompson1980]

Ryan Day was behind this, that’s why Knowles got upset with him!. But Ryan is the boss, that’s how it goes.

[@markt5746]

I wanted Leonard before Knowles. Still want Leonard!

[@gregorylang104]

When you have the talent and leadership this Defense had, coordination is somewhat easier.

[@jacob-sv3gs]

It’s not that he left, it’s who he left for.

[@msmith837]

He wanted to leave

[@terrythompson1980]

It didn’t make any sense but WHATEVER I guess!. It’s up to him. OSU will do a great job replacing him!. Go Bucks

[@CPorter-s1h]

ND also lost its coordinator It happens to good teams. We are now in uncharted waters once again. The beauty in this championship run is seeing the governor and mayor align with the coach AD and president in Columbus. Ryan Day will not have a problem getting through with support and resources from his colleagues. Teams will come for your staffers we're not exempt.

[@tommorehart3313]

What doe Hartline have to apologize for ❓

[@mecahhannah]

Awesome as always thanks guys go bucks ❤️ I like Chris Hampton from Oregon OG Walt or Matty G!

[@MikeFife-gx5vr]

Texas is one game, don’t put too much stock in this game. Longhorns are going to be good again and will have Manning at QB, he’s much more mobile than Ewers.

[@sassycat2111]

Who in their right mind would turn down a 1M+ pay raise?

[@terrythompson1980]

But don’t think Ohio State didn’t offer him the same here or more!. He was unhappy here so ✌️

[@SCBuckeye81]

Knowles going to Penn State is not good for Ohio State but will not seriously impact them. The talent is still with the Buckeyes. Let’s not forget until this playoff run Knowles led defenses could not get stops in the 4th quarter against elite teams.

[@carseye1219]

What you're talking about RD/LJ/JK, it's called "Creative Tension". Urban wanted no assistants who weren't looking to be head coaches elsewhere. I worked in the OSU Ath Dept. I wasn't there yet in Woody's last years but a couple of people around then thought the decline after 1975 wasn't just Woody. His long-time assistants had gotten too comfortable and the whole vibe was stale. You need some friction and change to keep the juices flowing. If you look at Knowles's situation. He helped OSU get over its hump. Maybe he's the kind who constantly needs new challenges. He's also approaching 60. It's his home state. I wish he had stayed but I can understand the jump.

[@bobbygore7558]

Day did hire Kerry coombs as our defense of coordinator some years back. So yeah, I am concerned about who is going to be the next defensive coordinator.

[@charliegriffey7773]

He also.hired Haffley and Knowles

[@dennishouston31]

Chip Kelly's next

[@johnwakefield9378]

It’s simple Knowles helped win thr natty he was hired to do. He wasn’t a fit to be a connected insider and left for a lot of money. He’s good. And deserves the money. OSU paid him and is a different culture so get over it not everyone wants and loves OSU as its rabid fans do.

[@golfcoursemanager33]

yeah, when I started noticing him wearing blue, purple, and assorted other colors besides scarlet and gray in press conferences, I got the feeling there was something up. and sure enough..........

[@CarlaJenkinsTV]

It really doesn't matter. He'll still lose to Ohio State November 1, 2025 because James Franklin is their coach. Book it!

[@Penguin1982]

I love the "stability" Dan Rubin brings when he is on....!!

[@whobdis77]

this thing is so weird. I"m not sure I buy that all of a sudden it was all Knowles D the last half of the season without the interference from Johnson. Sure the dline has to be in sync with the rest of the D but it was still Jim calling threst of the D the previous 2 and half years. . It wasn't until Day got more involved after Oregon. Not saying he called the D but it's just strange. The fact is we had a VERY experienced D and probably at least 7 or 8 future NFL players. I was glad we had him but we'll be fine as long was we keep the rest of assistant coaches. Saban was notorioius for being hard on the coaches as was Urban. It's not for everyone

[@terrythompson1980]

Day was involved more than anyone!. That’s why Jim was unhappy with Day

[@masonmcguire3520]

Doesn't make any sense for him leaving

[@timothycunningham3983]

DON’T BE A IMMATURE FAN BIDDLE. LIFE ISN’T OVER YET RUBIN. ITS BEEN TEN YEARS BETWEEN CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS LAST TIME. ITS GOING TO BE A SMALL BUILD BACK SEASON THIS YEAR. KNOWLES COULDN’T GET ALONG WITH LARRY JOHNSON. WHY I DON’T KNOW CAUSE ITS INTERNAL AND WASN’T MADE PUBLIC. YET! SOMETIMES YOU THINK YOU KNOW SOMEONE BUT TURNS OUT THEY ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEMED. LARRY JOHNSON IS A GREAT COACH AND WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HIM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH ANYONE ELSE EXCEPT KNOWLES. THAT SHOULD TELL YOU THEN IT MUST BE KNOWLES. IF IT WAS THAT THEN ITS BETTER THAT HE GOES THAN JOHNSON.

[@RD22]

If Penn State some how stole Smith or Downs I would be pissed off, but Old Man River? No....I am sure sure it will work all right for the Buckeyes.

[@SteveAllen-x2m]

You mean like they bought Downs when he was about to register at Georgia.

[@thejuan113]

@@SteveAllen-x2mis this true?

[@eddie4986]

Championship team coaches don’t make a lateral move to an in conference opponent especially after just winning the National Championship it just doesn’t happen, they move on to a promotion as a Head Coach or whatever but not the same damn job that’s stupid.. There’s more to this I’d bet..

[@terrythompson1980]

He didn’t get along with Larry Johnson and Ryan day pissed him off after the Oregon loss!. That’s it

[@eddie4986]

@ I don’t know Terry I personally feel like there’s something more to this, you have philosophical differences with co-workers (ie Larry Johnson) but hell you’re gonna have that everywhere you go..

[@chuckmcfarland3208]

DC Jeff Hafley of THE Green Bay Packers rumored to suffer major coaching loss to THE Ohio State Buckeyes. Jeff Hafley might be headed back to Ohio State.

[@JackycClark]

The Texas DC could be a good fit . Mike Vrabel could take a break from head coach stress . We do not want the Iowa coach .

[@SteveAllen-x2m]

You do know that Texas has as much money than Ohio state,You can’t just buy everybody you want.

[@thejuan113]

lol

[@yissaskarlg4708]

Jim wanted for control of the defense full say and he wanted to change to a 34 base defense

[@pberryberry2734]

This is a situation where there was hate involved bc he wasn't at the celebration & went to PSU. That is a Rivalry game, & that's how I feel. I appreciate The Natty, but honestly, I don't give a shit. Go Bucks‼️🏆

[@tonylightfoot588]

So do we hire a replacement as DC that can coach our current scheme or someone that will bring a new defensive scheme??

[@JackycClark]

Knowles system is his own .

[@NicoletteEmmerson]

Did we lose the recie

[@timothypartin8460]

Ohio State should give Chip $100,000 more than Knowles will make

[@tylerhawk742]

No Coombs 2.0 lol

[@RD22]

Ohio State has the Machine rolling, parts need to be changed out yearly, the train keeps a rolling!

[@eddie4986]

I think Jim Knowles is just freaking Weird, he always seemed weird to me from day one.. Thanks Jim but Kick Rocks bro.. Go Bucks !!

[@bucknut6620]

Allen Russell😊

[@cumulus1234]

Any good players going to the portal? Hopefully not Jeremiah.

[@Areafrenchman]

Let’s not forget that we saw Kelly’s offense do quite well in his first year. 2nd and 3rd year will be better and could make the point difference we might lose on defense

[@msmith837]

Nobody knew Knowles at ok St. For a reason lol TOSU Boosted his resume and he leaves, and the way he did it and when, so disrespectful to.the players and the University

[@SteveAllen-x2m]

😂

[@Butler_Buck]

It doesn't matter who they hire. The DL won't be as good next year as it is this year, barring some remarkable development up front. We need to understand that. Win The Game, make the playoffs, make sure that one of the 3 QB can play, and we should be happy.

[@user-jpwiremans1575]

Still waiting for Hartlines apology to half of Buckeye nation .

[@golfcoursemanager33]

why?

[@tommorehart3313]

advertising THC cornbread seriously 😳

[@terrythompson1980]

What’s wrong with that? It isn’t crack or heroin geez!!! Calm down

[@golfcoursemanager33]

it's not that he left.....it's how he did it and he didn't leave to take a head coaching job or the NFL. He spit in the face of his players by no showing at the NC celebration. Knowles is a slimy dude. IMO Honestly, I never liked his personality. Yeah, he was a good coach but next.

[@bucknado9748]

Fumble and Rumble

[@msmith837]

And To go to a conferences rival smfh

[@brutusballer24]

Well.......BYE!!

[@lacey7778]

LOL @ Dan. On Jim Knowles..... HE HAS GIRLFRIENDS.. everywhere! LOLOLOLOL Oh lort! hahahahah

[@spencerperkins-m7c]

He was vital in helping us win a championship, before taking more money to go home. Something anyone would do. You cannot blame him, but I’m sure the toxic buckeye fans will anyways.

[@golfcoursemanager33]

get off your high horse.

[@carlkoz1]

my thoughts were they did not want to face Oregon 3 times in one season tanked the Michigan game on purpose

[@Andrew-b5p8j]

Do you want me to believe you don't know what's going on behind the scenes you just want to say

[@bluntman13]

Lamest champs ever! 8 seed, 2 losses in the regular season,no conference championship, 4 losses in a row to your biggest rival and defending national champions, Wouldn't have even been in the playoffs last year. Go Blue 23 national champions 15 0.

[@timothyfilimon8541]

Haters gonna hate!. Suck it up buttercup !

[@terrythompson1980]

Thanks for beating us this year in the rivalry Dbag!!!

[@bluntman13]

@terrythompson1980 go Blue