BREAKING: Jim Knowles out at Penn State, Tennessee moves fast to pounce
I can confirm that Jim Knowles will not be retained by new Penn State head coach Matt Campbell. The decision ends Knowles’ one-season run in Happy Valley. Almost immediately, Tennessee has surged to the front of the line to hire him as its next defensive coordinator. There is strong mutual interest. No deal is signed yet, but the Vols are pushing to close.
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What happened and why it matters
Campbell informed staff today that Knowles will not be part of his build. That is a bold call, and a clear signal that Campbell plans a full reset on defense. Knowles arrived last winter from Ohio State on a three-year deal worth about 3.1 million dollars per year. At the time, that made him the highest paid assistant in the sport. He brought the “Mad Scientist” label with him, an aggressive style, and a plan for a top-tier unit.
Now that plan is over at Penn State after one season. The ripple effect is immediate. Tennessee needs a defensive architect after finishing around 87th nationally on defense last year. The Vols see Knowles as a fast fix, and they are acting like it.
No deal is finalized as of publication. Tennessee is pushing, but paperwork and approvals remain.
What Knowles would bring to Tennessee
This is about identity. Knowles builds defenses that attack. He disguises pressures. He forces quarterbacks to think before the snap, then think again after it. His base is multiple, often a 4-2-5 look with speed on the field and movement up front. Cornerbacks are asked to compete on an island. Safeties drive the run and jump routes. Linebackers must trigger fast and cover space.
That profile fits what Tennessee wants in the SEC right now. The Vols play fast on offense. That tempo stresses a defense. You need a coordinator who can steal possessions and create negative plays. Knowles’ track record checks that box. His units at Oklahoma State and Ohio State climbed with sacks, tackles for loss, and third down stops. He leans into havoc, not bend-and-hope.
The roster fit looks promising. Tennessee returns edge speed and interior size. The back seven needs cleaner eyes and better communication, but that can be coached. Expect cross-training at safety and nickel. Expect more rotation on the line to keep legs fresh in the fourth quarter. If Tennessee lands Knowles, the spring will be about language, spacing, and trust.
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If Tennessee hires Knowles, look for pressures that show blitz, then rush four, plus aggressive robber looks in the middle of the field.
The quick gains Tennessee can target
- Better third down disguise and execution
- A tighter red zone plan that forces field goals
- More production from the nickel spot
- Cleaner run fits on perimeter runs
What this says about Penn State and Matt Campbell
This is Campbell’s stamp. He inherits a proud program with high expectations. Choosing not to retain a star coordinator tells the locker room that culture, cohesion, and fit matter more than résumés. It also tells recruits and portal targets that Penn State is building one voice on defense, not merging systems.
Financially, it is a reset. Paying top dollar for a coordinator only works if the head coach believes the scheme and staff chemistry are aligned. Campbell is signaling a different path. Expect him to target a teacher who pairs structure with physicality, a system that complements how he wants to play on offense. Expect personnel tweaks too. Bigger edge players. A true field-boundary safety split. More length at corner. This is a rebuild in tone and technique, not just titles.
The coordinator market just moved
Knowles set the market last winter with a record assistant deal. If Tennessee closes, that price will stay hot. The Vols know what a top defensive mind is worth in the SEC. They also know the cost of not having one. Tennessee’s offense can win shootouts. To win titles, it needs stops in November and December.
This is the new arms race in college football. Head coaches build the brand. Coordinators decide Saturdays. When a coach with Knowles’ resume hits the market, schools with ambition sprint. Tennessee is sprinting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Jim Knowles going to Tennessee?
A: Tennessee is the leader to hire him as defensive coordinator. Talks are active. No agreement is signed yet.
Q: Why did Penn State and Matt Campbell move on?
A: Campbell is reshaping the staff to match his vision. He wants full alignment on scheme, culture, and development.
Q: How would Knowles fix Tennessee’s defense?
A: He brings pressure looks, better disguise, and clear rules for the back seven. That can lift third down and red zone results fast.
Q: Does this affect recruiting and the portal?
A: Yes. A high-profile coordinator helps close defensive targets. At Penn State, a new system could prompt roster movement, both in and out.
Q: What is Knowles’ coaching style?
A: Aggressive, organized, and detail heavy. He builds speed packages, mixes coverages, and hunts for negative plays.
Conclusion
This is a seismic coaching turn on a December afternoon. Penn State, under Matt Campbell, is choosing a new defensive path. Tennessee is moving to land one of the sport’s sharpest defensive minds. If the Vols finish the deal, the SEC just got a little louder on third down. If not, the chase for Jim Knowles will shape the rest of this hiring cycle, and it will say plenty about where these two programs are headed.
