Two months have passed since Jim Knowles took on the role of defensive coordinator at Penn State following a two-year tenure in Columbus. While he’s begun settling into his new position within the Big Ten, new details have emerged regarding his decision to make the move within the conference.
According to Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson, Knowles’ departure was more about adaptation than anything else. Speaking to the media, Johnson explained, “That’s what you thought, right?” He elaborated that Ohio State had been considering a shift to a 3-4 defensive scheme but faced challenges due to their roster being built around a 4-3 system. “The way you recruit, you’ve got to change the defense, the scheme set, right?” Johnson said, adding that adjustments had already been attempted with the “Jack” position. However, as the season progressed and offensive play styles evolved, a four-man front remained the better fit.
Despite Knowles moving to a conference rival, there are no hard feelings between the two programs. Johnson shared that he and Knowles had productive discussions about the team’s defensive approach, emphasizing that there was never any pushback against the 3-4 system. “It was always about what’s best for our players and how we could make a 3-4 team work,” he said.
While there’s mutual respect between the coaches, the competitive spirit in the Big Ten remains strong. Penn State will aim to challenge Ohio State’s pursuit of both a conference title and a potential national championship. As the teams prepare for their November showdown in Columbus, only time will reveal the true impact of Knowles’ move.
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