At first team meeting, Jim Knowles tells Penn State players 'this is where I want to be'
New Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles played up his Pennsylvania roots during his first team meeting since officially joining the Nittany Lions on Monday. The Philadelphia native told the players on hand that he followed the program going up and it’s the one he wants to work for in his 38th season as a college coach.
“Penn State was everything,” Knowles said in a video posted by Penn State Athletics. “That’s what we aspired to be. I couldn’t get there as a player. But through a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of really good players, that allowed me to reach that point in my career where I could really pick wherever I wanted to be. And, growing up as a kid, Penn State was everything, and this is where I want to be.”
You can see the full video in the embedded player below. If you cannot see it, click here.
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Penn State, James Franklin, get their guy in Knowles
Knowles is a graduate of St. Joe’s Prep in Philadelphia. He has never coached in the Keystone State before shocking the college football world by leaving Ohio State after three seasons and just days after the team won the College Football Playoff national title game. The 59-year-old has oversaw top defenses wherever he’s been. It’s no secret that James Franklin has long wanted Knowles on his staff. After years of that not being reality, it now is. And, as the video shows, Knowles is officially on the ground in State College and ready to roll.
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“Join me in welcoming Jim Knowles back to his home in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the Defensive Coordinator of Penn State Football. Franklin said in a released statement. “He’s a strong strategist and excellent defensive mind. He reflects the core values our culture of excellence is built upon. We look forward to having Jim and his family join us in Happy Valley.”
Knowles also released a statement.
“I am excited for this opportunity to join Penn State Football,” Knows said. He adds: “I would like to thank Coach Franklin, Pat Kraft and President Neeli Bendapudi for this opportunity to be the defensive coordinator at Penn State. I have always had a ton of respect for Coach Franklin and the program he has built here. I look forward to working with this tremendous staff and group of student-athletes and am ready to get to work.”
