After that National Championship win, everyone’s gunning for Ohio State’s defensive mastermind, Jim Knowles. And it’s no wonder why. Honestly, the Buckeyes might not have sniffed the title for another decade without his genius. His defense absolutely dominated, and with 40 years of coaching experience under his belt, he knows his stuff. But in this dog-eat-dog world of college football, the hunger for success never stops. Whether it’s about the Benjamins or chasing bigger opportunities, the coaching carousel is always spinning.

So, the big question: is Knowles happy in Columbus, or is he eyeing greener pastures? Ryan Day knows he needs to keep this defensive guru on board, and he’s likely throwing everything but the kitchen sink at him. We’re talking about a potential contract extension that could make Knowles the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the country. His current deal sits at $2.2 million, but expect that number to skyrocket if he decides to stay with the Buckeyes.

But here is the kicker: currently, Michigan’s DC Wink Martindale is among the highest-paid DCs who held the same position for multiple NFL teams and holds the largest salary of $2.3 million that might go up to $2.75 million in 2025. And guess what? Jim Knowles can even outpass that with Ohio State’s recent offer. However, RJ Young thinks matching that offer is not that easy!

Noting the competition for the defensive mastermind, Young said, “Oklahoma wouldn’t be the only program that is pursuing Jim Knowles. Penn State has an opening at defensive coordinator, and Notre Dame has an opening at defensive coordinator.” He then got to the ‘money talk.’ Young added, “If he’s offered $2.75 million, he’d become the highest-paid defensive coordinator in football, and it’s not likely that anyone would overtake that with hirings at Notre Dame and Penn State. But it could be him.”

Well, we understand the desperation to get him that too with the kind of track record he holds. But fighting the Buckeyes, who are the most valuable team in the nation with a $1.96 billion valuation, is not a walk in the park.

Moreover, it’s pretty evident that teams like Notre Dame will try to snatch an exceptional defensive coordinator like Jim Knowles after Al Golden’s NFL move. But the question is, do ND, Penn State, or Oklahoma have the depth to match the kind of offer Knowles desires?

Jim Knowles has made it clear that he wants to be the nation’s highest-paid coordinator, aiming for a $3 million NIL deal. Even Young said the same: “However if someone offers $3 million at one of those schools or $3 million at Oklahoma, it could change the game.” But do you ever wonder why so many programs are after him?

What sets Jim Knowles apart from others?

Let’s be real—teams like Notre Dame, Penn State, and Oklahoma are showing great interest in Jim Knowles for two main reasons. Firstly, there is a clear need for his expertise. Both Oklahoma and Penn State are currently without a defensive coordinator, with Oklahoma still searching for a replacement since Zac Alley left for West Virginia and Penn State losing Tom Allen to Clemson.

But why Jim Knowles? The Buckeyes’ dominant defense this season has made Knowles a hot commodity, despite the hefty price tag. They led the FBS in scoring defense, only allowing an average of 12.9 points per game. The Buckeyes also ranked first in the nation in total yards allowed per play (4.19), second in yards per rush attempt (2.65), and tied for sixth in yards per pass attempt (6.0). In short, Knowles’ defense speaks for itself.

However, the question remains: is Jim Knowles truly seeking a change? As of now, there has been no confirmation or indication of his interest in other programs. When asked about Oklahoma’s reported interest before the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Knowles remained tight-lipped and offered little comment, saying, “Beat Notre Dame; that’s all I’m focused on. These things happen, I guess, when you have success; players are making plays. My job is to put them in the best position. These things come up when you do well.” Right now, it’s all just whispers and rumors. But someone’s going to try and break the bank to land this defensive genius.