Jim Knowles has a pretty good gig at Ohio State, but could he be lured to OU? Why the defensive coordinator move isn't completely impossible.

The 59-year-old coach has previous DC stints at Oklahoma State (2018-2021), Duke (2010 to 2017) and Western Michigan (2001-2002). He was also the head coach at Cornell, his alma mater, from 2004 to 2009. Knowles has been the defensive coordinator with Ohio State since 2022.

Speaking at media day ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game on Saturday, Knowles sidestepped the question. Knowles was the third-highest paid assistant in college football in 2024, earning $2.2 million. He remains under contract through 2026. Oklahoma paid Alley $850,000.

Here’s what defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said Tuesday about the Fighting Irish, and more: Knowles gave a humorous response to the team’s goal line stand. He said that on the third down play, the team was in a red zone coverage that they hadn’t used before, and on the fourth down play, they kept it the same.

The Buckeyes are now set to take on coach Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame Fighting Irish, whom they beat 17-14 last season, for the national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

What happened to Oregon at the Rose Bowl? Why were the Ducks so badly outclassed? We posed the question to three former coaches, including two with ties to Washington.

We asked Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles for his insights on the fourth quarter goal line stand that helped the Buckeyes defeat Texas in the Cotton Bowl national semifinal game.

Thomas Casale has locked in his 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game picks for Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Monday

Ohio State DC Jim Knowles was dismissive of job offer rumors ahead of College Football Playoff National Championship Game vs. Notre Dame

One Ohio State assistant football coach is garnering interest from around the Power 4, but one SEC opportunity isn't likely for Ryan Day's right-hand man.

QB Will Howard says Ohio State's "truth-telling" loss to Michigan in November has continued to fuel the Buckeyes throughout the Playoff.