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Will Jim Knowles call the Penn State defense from the coaches box or the field?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•about 9 hours•

GregPickel

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New Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. (Pickel/BWI)

STATE COLLEGE — Most of the defensive coordinators throughout the James Franklin era at Penn State have called plays from field level on game day. Bob Shoop was one exception. And then, Tom Allen became the second last season a couple of games into the 2024 season. The now former Nittany Lions defensive coordinator was unsure of the move at first but ultimately was OK with it. Now, he’s gone, and Jim Knowles is in town after three seasons at Ohio State. Where will he call plays in from for Penn State in 2025?

“I go back and forth. But most recently, I spent most of my time in the press box,” Knowles said Tuesday. “That allows me to get the best vision on the action. And with the iPads now and the communication directly to the players, you know, in the helmet, I can still be very connected. And, you know, there’s a lot more time to think up there.”

Why does Knowles like being upstairs, and what does it mean for Penn State?

The answer he gave on the topic sounded very familiar to the tone head coach James Franklin, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, and Allen struck when talking about the topic last year. It’s easier to take emotion out of things when not on the field. And, it’s a lot easier to be organized while preparing for the constant chess match with the other side.

“I’ve worked hard, I guess, on being emotional and challenging in practice, and coaching with an edge in practice. But, in the game, that’s not my job,” Knowles said. “The best place to be in order to think and remain calm and try to stay a couple plays ahead in a series is in the press box.

“That’s just what I found for myself. If there’s a camera up there on me, hopefully you’re not going to see me reacting to a bad play, or even if we get a great play. I really try to stay centered. And my job is to not cheer or react or yell. No one’s going to hear me anyway. My job is to think and be composed. And the press box is the best place to do that.”

So, that’s the plan for now. Where he and the rest of the upstairs Penn State coaches will be located on game day in light of the Beaver Stadium press box felling earlier this year as part of a $700 million west side renovation remains to be seen. But, wherever you might spot Knowles this fall, it feels like a safe bet to say he will not be cheering wildly or reacting angrily to anything that happens on the field.

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