Jim Knowles (American football)

Last updated

Jim Knowles
2025-0118 Jim Knowles.jpg
Knowles talking to press ahead of the 2025 CFP National Championship.
Current position
Title Defensive coordinator
Team Penn State
Conference Big Ten
Biographical details
Born (1965-04-16) April 16, 1965 (age 59)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Playing career
1983–1986 Cornell
Position(s) Defensive end
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1988 Cornell (DL)
1989–1994Cornell (RB)
1995–1996Cornell (LB/RC)
1997–2000 Western Michigan (DL)
2001–2002Western Michigan (DC)
2003 Ole Miss (LB/RC)
2004–2009Cornell
2010–2011 Duke (DC/S)
2012–2014Duke (DC)
2015–2017Duke (DC/ILB)
2018–2021 Oklahoma State (DC)
2022–2024 Ohio State (DC)
2025–present Penn State (DC)
Head coaching record
Overall26–34
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
CFP national champion (2024)

Jim Knowles (born April 16, 1965) is an American college football coach and former player. He is currently the defensive coordinator at Penn State University. Knowles served as the head football coach at Cornell University from 2004 to 2009.

Contents

Career

A 1987 graduate of Cornell University, Knowles was a defensive end on the Big Red football team. He was elected to Cornell's Sphinx Head Society during his senior year, ultimately graduating with a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations in 1987. [1] Prior to receiving the head coach position, Knowles served as an assistant at Cornell, Western Michigan University and the University of Mississippi.

Cornell

From 2004 to 2009, he compiled a 26–34 record as head football coach at Cornell University.

Duke

Knowles at Duke in 2012. Jim Knowles American football 2012.jpg
Knowles at Duke in 2012.

On December 28, 2009, Knowles was named the defensive coordinator at Duke under head coach David Cutcliffe. Knowles had previously served as linebackers coach under Cutcliffe while he was head coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 2003. [2]

Oklahoma State

On January 29, 2018, Knowles was hired as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State under head coach Mike Gundy, [3] [4] and held the position through the 2021 season. During Knowles' time at Oklahoma State, the Cowboys' defense saw significant statistical improvements. After regressing in areas like opponent points per play and opponent yards per play during Knowles' first season, [5] [6] Oklahoma State's defense improved in each of Knowles' next three seasons. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] For the 2021 season, Knowles' defense finished top ten in areas such as opponent points per play, [13] opponent points per game, [14] opponent yards per play, [15] opponent yards per game, [16] opponent yards per rush attempt, [17] opponent rushing yards per game, [18] team sack percentage, [19] and sacks per game. [20]

Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes coach Ryan Day announced on December 7, 2021 that Knowles had accepted the defensive coordinator position for his team effective January 2, 2022. [21] For the 2024/2025 season, Knowles' defense finished 1st in yards allowed, 1st in scoring defense and 1st in red zone defense [22] culminating in the Buckeyes wining the National Championship in the College Football Playoff, the first consisting of a 12 team format. [23]

Penn State

On January 26, 2025, it was leaked that Knowles accepted the defensive coordinator position. [24]

Head coaching record

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Cornell Big Red (Ivy League)(2004–2009)
2004 Cornell 4–64–33rd
2005 Cornell 6–44–3T–4th
2006 Cornell 5–53–4T–4th
2007 Cornell 5–52–57th
2008 Cornell 4–62–5T–6th
2009 Cornell 2–81–68th
Cornell:26–3416–26
Total:26–34

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References

  1. ↑ "Jim Knowles". Cornell. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Jim Knowles". Duke Athletics. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
  3. ↑ "OK State hires Duke D-coordinator Knowles". January 30, 2018.
  4. ↑ "OSU football: Oklahoma State hires Duke defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, former OSU defensive end Greg Richmond as assistants, as well as 4 other coaches".
  5. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Points per Play | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  6. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Yards per Play | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  7. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Points per Play | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  8. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Yards per Play | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  9. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Points per Play | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  10. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Yards per Play | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  11. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Points per Play | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  12. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Yards per Play | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  13. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Points per Play | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  14. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Points per Game | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  15. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Yards per Play | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  16. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Yards per Game | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  17. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Yards per Rush Attempt | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  18. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Rushing Yards per Game | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  19. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Sack Percentage | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  20. ↑ "College Football Stats - College FB Team Sacks per Game | TeamRankings.com". www.teamrankings.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Ohio State Hiring Oklahoma State's Jim Knowles As New Defensive Coordinator". Eleven Warriors. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  22. ↑ "2024 College Football Defense Rankings: Team Pass and Rush Stats". FOX Sports. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Champions again: Ohio State wins 9th national title". Champions again: Ohio State wins 9th national title. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Ohio State's Jim Knowles to leave Buckeyes for Penn State defensive coordinator job". 247sports. January 26, 2025. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
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