The Big Ten is turning into a real-life Lion King saga. James Franklin, with his massive deal, is pulling a straight-up Scar move, challenging Ryan Day and the Buckeyes for control of the Pride Lands. It’s a power struggle that’s flipped the conference on its head. This “coup” has already left Ohio State’s once-dominant defense looking vulnerable, especially after losing their defensive mastermind, Jim Knowles, to Penn State. And the hits keep coming. They’ve lost two more key coaches: OL coach Justin Frye and OC Chip Kelly. Now, Knowles isn’t just leaving silently. He’s spilling the tea, talking about his time with Day and the Buckeyes, revealing their inner workings. It’s like Simba’s old advisor Zazu giving Scar all the intel.

Even after losing in the playoffs, Penn State did make a major move, getting Jim Knowles. And even though $3.1 million sounds huge, it’s pretty little in front of the talent Knowles holds. Now that he’s settled in at Penn State, Jim Knowles is looking back at his OSU days, saying their championship run was all about “a strong brotherhood” they built from the start.

He added, “Guys have to be accountable to each other. Player to player, coach to player, player to coach. Coaches have to have the answers, and they have to be willing to admit when they make mistakes because coaches do make mistakes too. You got to have the trust of the players, that they’ll go to the war for you, that they’ll do whatever you ask them to do because they believe that it works.” Even though it’s just a gist about the culture Knowles used to follow while at Ohio State, such small things make a big difference in the long run.

This ‘brotherhood and accountability’ recipe—pushing each other even in the off-season, keeping their eyes on the prize—is what teams need to stay on top. But it’s not a magic bullet. Just look at Ohio State. They lost three coordinators within days of winning the championship. Well, players and coaches get lured away by big paychecks. It’s a clear sign of the times: money talks. Franklin better be taking notes. And Knowles’s little nuggets of wisdom? They’re not just about his new gig; they’re coming from a deep connection with Penn State, a history that makes him want to share.

Jim Knowles and Penn State go way back. He’s from Philly, so he’s been connected to them since he was a kid. “When I was little there were only like three stations on the television and you have to actually get up and change the channel and you didn’t get to watch much college football. And one thing I did watch every Sunday morning was the Penn State highlight show which was an hour long and i look forward to that. You know Penn State represented everything to me about college football at the highest level and doing things the right way,” he said.

Sure, there’s the childhood connection and love, but Knowles is also a brilliant defensive mind. And with him, the team is also trying to lure its best players away from the NFL, taking NIL and Knowles’ coaching mastermind into consideration. Players like Drew Allar, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, defensive tackle Zane Durant, and safety Zakee Wheatley are already on their radar.

Moreover, when it mattered most, Jim Knowles’ defense displayed its strength, rising to the occasion in crucial moments. They first demonstrated this against Tennessee and then solidified their statement with an impressive performance against the Big Ten champion, Oregon. Ohio State took a commanding 34-0 lead, with the defense resembling an impenetrable wall. They didn’t let Oregon forget the upset from earlier in the season.

So, you know why Penn State chose Jim Knowles. The statistics speak for themselves—Ohio State’s defense was a force this season. They led the FBS in scoring defense, allowing only 12.9 points per game. Opposing offenses were no match for them, as they ranked first in total yards allowed per play and second in yards per rush attempt. Now, the Buckeyes are in a dire state to make some serious moves!

Ryan Day’s search for Jim Knowles’ replacement

With Jim Knowles out of the scene, Ryan Day’s defensive coaching search is heating up! So it turns out Jim Knowles’s sudden resignation wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment thing. Apparently, there were some serious disagreements with other coaches brewing for a while. And according to On3’s J.D. Pickell, Knowles had already decided to bounce, win, or lose the national championship. Pickell even said, “it sounds like there was a strain between Jim Knowles and the Ohio State staff.”

But don’t expect the Buckeyes to be left in the dust. They’ve got a few interesting names floating around. Among the potential candidates is Bryant Haines, Indiana’s defensive coordinator. With Haines at the helm, the Hoosiers defied expectations, achieving a top-10 ranking and making their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.

Ryan Day seems to be taking a page from Nick Saban’s playbook when it comes to replacing Knowles. His focus is on maintaining stability, which definitely gives off winning vibes. As he put it, “But, you know, we want to have as much continuity as we can. I think I’ve learned that, watching guys like Nick Saban and different coaches who have had success for extended periods of time, to make sure that you have continuity in all three (offense, defense, special teams) phases.”

However, Ohio State is not solely focused on external options. They also have internal candidates to consider. One strong contender is Matt Guerrieri, who has made a name for himself at Duke and Indiana. He has worked wonders with players such as safety Lathan Ransom and has previously served as a co-defensive coordinator. Another option is Tim Walton, who has experience with top-notch defenses, having been the defensive coordinator at Miami (FL), Memphis, and even the St. Louis Rams. We’ll have to wait and see who takes the reins of Ohio State’s defense this year.