Ohio State allegedly refused defensive coordinator Jim Knowles the opportunity to celebrate the team’s national championship victory alongside the rest of the program.
College football insider Brett McMurphy tweeted that the university requested Knowles to skip the celebration while he considered his choices. Knowles and the Buckeyes tried to secure a new agreement to retain him at Ohio State prior to the national title game but were unsuccessful.
Knowles has agreed to a three-year deal with Penn State valued at $9.3 million.
Ohio State allegedly did not allow defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to join the rest of the program in celebrating the team’s national title victory.
College football insider Brett McMurphy tweeted that the institution requested Knowles to refrain from attending the celebration as he considered his choices. Knowles and the Buckeyes tried to secure a new agreement to retain him with Ohio State prior to the national championship game but were unsuccessful.
Knowles has inked a three-year deal with Penn State valued at $9.3 million.
Ohio State loses important elements as they approach the 2025 season.
Though Ohio State won the College Football National Championship for the 2024 season, it is yet to be determined if they can achieve that success again later this year. With crucial elements such as senior quarterback Will Howard heading to the NFL and the departure of defensive coordinator Knowles, the Buckeyes appear quite altered as they approach 2025.
A new chapter is set to begin for multiple programs in the upcoming season. The University of Texas, which Ohio State beat to secure a place in the national championship game, is also beginning anew. As starting quarterback Quinn Ewers has declared for the NFL draft, Arch Manning will lead the program.
The 19-year-old carries significant expectations due to his two Super Bowl-winning uncles, Peyton and Eli Manning, who have paved the way. Numerous people believe that young Manning might aid in bringing the Longhorns back to their dominant form, possibly securing their first national championship since their victory over the USC Trojans, 41–38, in 2006, a game widely regarded as the greatest in the sport’s history.
Regarding Knowles and Penn State, the defensive coordinator aims to elevate the program further. Penn State made it to the playoffs this season but was defeated by Notre Dame in the third round, 27–24. Notre Dame subsequently fell to the Buckeyes in the championship matchup.
The Nittany Lions might make it to their first national championship game since 1986. They triumphed in that match versus the Miami Hurricanes with a score of 14–10 to claim the title. Nonetheless, with elite programs such as Texas, Georgia, Oregon, Arizona State, and Ohio State looking to replicate their success, Penn State will undoubtedly face a tough challenge.