Reports: Penn State DC Jim Knowles headed to Tennessee

Field Level Media|published: Wed 10th December, 16:07 2025

Apr 26, 2025; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jim Knowles walks on the field prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is headed to the same position at Tennessee, according to multiple media reports.

ESPN reported Wednesday that Penn State is negotiating a buyout for Knowles, who is owed more than $7 million on the remaining two years of the contract he signed when he joined the Nittany Lions ahead of the 2025 season.

Knowles joined Penn State after helping Ohio State to the national title in 2024. The Buckeyes rode the No. 1 defense in the country to four victories in the College Football Playoff that season, including a 34-23 win over Notre Dame in the title game. Ohio State gave up just 12.9 points and 254.6 yards per game.

When Knowles, a Pennsylvania native, joined the Nittany Lions, he became the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the nation.

Penn State introduced Matt Campbell as its new head coach on Monday, replacing the fired James Franklin, who landed the head coach position at Virginia Tech in November.

Knowles, 60, is reportedly expected to replace Tim Banks, who was fired Monday from the Tennessee defensive coordinator position he has held since 2021.

The firing came just a year after Banks led a Vols' defense that allowed just 16.1 points per game, the stingiest since the 1998 national title team, making Banks a finalist for the Broyles Award and landing him a contract extension through the 2027 season at $2.15 million annually.

However, Banks' defense struggled this season in support of one of the highest-scoring offenses in college football, allowing 28.8 points per game.

--Field Level Media