Power of Buckeyes brand, logo already opening doors for Jim Knowles
The summer offseason is in full swing, and Lettermen Row is trying to survive it with our annual Position Week breakdowns. By the time all nine units and coaching staff at Ohio State have been covered, training camp and media days will nearly have arrived, and the return of football in the Horseshoe will be just around the corner. Our offseason preview weeks come to a close with the loaded Buckeyes coaching staff.
COLUMBUS — As Jim Knowles sat there during an interview session with the media in late spring, the Ohio State logo on the upper left of his shirt seemed to glisten like a badge of honor.
The Buckeyes’ new defensive coordinator sees it that way, too.
After a climb through the ranks that included stepping up from his last two previous rungs at Duke and Oklahoma State, there is the sense that he has arrived. For example, it shows up on the recruiting trail, where it usually means there will be a legitimate shot at any prospect, though of course no guarantee a player ultimately will choose the Buckeyes.
“But yeah, there is a special pride for me to now be at an elite school like Ohio State,” Knowles said. “You can joke with your buddies when you walk around because when they show up you’ll be like, ‘Hey step aside, Ohio State’s here.’ “
He meant with the fellows he has seen often on that trail through the years, and there’s usually laughter among them.
“But we all know it’s true,” Knowles said. “When you were sitting there at the lower level, you’re like, ‘Look at that guy from Ohio State, he just gets right in.’ So now I get to wear it.”
It’s a badge of honor, as far as he is concerned, both for the man wearing it and the prospects who see it upon their meeting, and he said he reminds them of that.
“‘Look, it took you 16 years to get here, it took me 56 years to get here. So let’s go be great together,’ “ Knowles said. “But it’s definitely a lot of fun.”
Again, though, nothing is guaranteed in terms of closing the deal. That’s because these days Knowles finds himself competing with reps from other blue blood programs such as Alabama, Georgia, USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and the like as the Buckeyes try to lure the crème de la crème of the prospects.
A great example was the recent commitment of elite linebacker Tackett Curtis of Many, La., to USC. The Buckeyes and Knowles had been in on him to the end, so that punch probably stung a little.
But there will be chances with many others. The Ohio State badge assures that.
“The reputation of Ohio State and Coach (Ryan) Day and coach Mick (Marotti, football performance coordinator) and everything that’s been built here, that reputation automatically puts you” in the conversation, Knowles said. “You’re able to deal with any recruit that you want, the best in the country.
“And they’re responsive because they know that Ohio State is going to help them accomplish their goals. So yeah, it’s an entrée to anyone.”
