James Franklin and new Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles released statements after Knowles was hired on Monday.

The departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles adds a challenge for Ohio State, which was already dealing with heavy roster turnover on defense.

Fresh off a national championship run with Ohio State, Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has accepted the same position at Big Ten rival Penn State, Matt Zentiz confirms. Though the exact numbers of the deal aren't public yet,

Here are three potential options who could fill the Ohio State Buckeyes' defensive coordinator vacancy in 2025.

Without defensive coordinator Jim Knowles in attendance on a day sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel he was finalizing a deal to join Penn State, Ohio State celebrated its national championship with 30,000 Buckeyes fans on Sunday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

The Nittany Lions' new defensive coordinator has a track record of success as a play caller through a lengthy career.

The Nittany Lions reportedly made the former Ohio State assistant college football's highest-paid defensive coordinator.

The 59-year-old Knowles reportedly is signing a three-year contract worth more than $9 million, which makes him the highest-paid coordinator in the country. His hiring, which became official Monday morning, is the clearest sign that Penn State and Franklin are all in for the 2025 season.

Penn State has been knocking on the door of beating the best of the college football programs in the nation year after year but has continually come up short. That said, the Nittany Lions just made a move that gets them closer to their goal.

Penn State’s previous defensive coordinator Tom Allen unexpectedly left for Clemson on Jan. 13. The ensuing 14-day stretch as Franklin searched for a replacement took plenty of turns, but the Nittany Lions' head man has always admired Knowles from afar and hoped to bring the Pennsylvania native back to the state.

According to reports, Penn State is finalizing a deal to lure defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from Ohio State.