However, despite his many detours, Knowles is at his heart a Pennsylvanian—a Philadelphian to be exact. Addressing Penn State in a video released by the school Tuesday morning,

Former Ohio State defensive coordinator said in an address to Penn State players that the Nittany Lions were 'everything' to him growing up

It appears that Knowles didn't take long to shuck his scarlet red colors and put on the blue and white at Penn State, taking aim at the conference leaders. It's a huge get for Penn State, who already had one of the most productive defenses in the nation last year, and now adds arguably the top defensive coordinator in the sport to the mix in 2025.

In hiring Jim Knowles, Penn State followed the adage: If you can't beat them, turn them to your side. While everyone in college football is already talking about Penn State's new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, it's possible that not everyone is realizing how much his betrayal of Ohio State benefits his new club.

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

Jim Knowles, Penn State's new defensive coordinator, brought his Penn State football history and some Philly ethos to his first meeting with the Nittany Lions. Knowles, whom Penn State hired away from Ohio State, introduced himself to the team this week, telling players and fellow coaches, "This is where I want to be."

The Nittany Lions reportedly made the former Ohio State assistant college football's highest-paid defensive coordinator.

Penn State announced Knowles signing to be their coordinator on Tuesday and one Buckeye confirmed what most people figured; the Buckeyes have taken exception to Knowles’ landing