According to reports, Penn State is finalizing a deal to lure defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from Ohio State.

Penn State has lured Tom Knowles away from Ohio State. The Nittany Lions have hired Knowles to serve as their defensive coordinator.

Ohio State football asked former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to not show up to the Buckeyes championship celebration.

However, Knowles wasn’t in attendance. About an hour later, reports surfaced that Knowles is leaving Ohio State to serve as Penn State’s next defensive coordinator. The move leaves Day searching for a replacement. Here’s who he might consider as he enters his seventh season as the Buckeyes' head coach.

and then certainly no depth behind it," Day said of Knowles in late October. "So, he had to be creative about what he was doing there. Decision was made a long time ago that we have the D-linemen here at Ohio State that can play with four down linemen."

James Franklin and Penn State hiring defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from Big Ten rival Ohio State made waves across the college football landscape.

Ohio State’s defensive coordinator is celebrating winning a national championship with a new contract — from one of their rivals.

EUGENE – Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning is continuing to compete on the recruiting trail, working to bring the nation's top prospects to Eugene, Oregon. The Duc

Interesting response, Eric. A 7 or an 8 is fair. The addition of a big name like Knowles to replace Tom Allen, at a price of more than $3 million per season, speaks to Penn State’s commitment. Regarding Penn State’s Anthony Poindexter and Dan Connor, I don’t see them as being similar to Knowles, at least not yet.

Knowles will make Penn State's defense one of the best in the country, but his addition might help the offense too.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State football team is losing a ton on defense, including the man in charge of coordinating it.