Jim Knowles reveals how 'awkward' Ohio State moments led him to Penn State

New Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was admittedly in an “awkward” situation with his departure from Ohio State this offseason. Knowles opened up about his exit from Columbus in a recent article from ESPN’s Heather Dinich, explaining the moments that led up to his decision.

According to the article, Knowles reached out to Nittany Lions coach James Franklin about the job on Jan. 22, two days after the Buckeyes had won the national championship. Penn State announced Knowles as its next defensive coordinator less than a week later, signing him to a $3.1 million annual salary that made him the highest paid coordinator in college football.

Knowles revealed to ESPN that the reason for his quick departure came due to the timing of a contract extension offer from Ohio State. He wanted to get a deal done prior to the national championship and said he “would not have explored or considered other options” if the Buckeyes had offered him one.

But the offer never came and Knowles said it created an “awkward” situation for him. He did what he thought was best for himself, making the call to Franklin.

“I did not want to put anyone, including myself, in a position to have to deal with it immediately following the national championship game,” he said. “And that’s the way it happened. …Season’s over, everything coming to a head again quickly. Ohio State hasn’t come forward with a deal, and it’s like, OK, if I’m going to act on this or at least explore it, I have got to make the call.”

Word broke that Knowles, a Pennsylvania native, had reached out to the Nittany Lions. Ohio State responded by asking him not to attend the championship celebration parade on Jan. 26. At the time, Knowles said he was still considering his options.

He flew to Oklahoma to to be with his fiancée and weigh out the decision. The more he thought about it, he figured that the Buckeyes not having him at the parade gave him the answer he needed.

“Maybe I’ll take less because Ohio State’s a great place,” he said, “but then they asked me not to come to the parade. So then you’re like, ‘OK, honestly, the writing is on the wall.’ Now it becomes something. It’s always something on the outside world, but now it’s become something here, too. I hadn’t made any decisions, but you just kind of feel like — I wouldn’t say I’m not wanted here — but you just feel like, OK, now it’s gotten awkward.”

Knowles was announced as the Penn State defensive coordinator just one day after Ohio State held its celebration. Both Buckeyes coach Ryan Day and athletic director Ross Bjork reportedly declined to speak with ESPN about Knowles’ contract for the story.

Regardless of how things ended, Knowles played an instrumental role the past three seasons in helping to build the defense that won this past season’s national championship. He’ll now get a fresh start in his home state as he looks to help get the Nittany Lions to that level.