Breaking Down Stubbie-4: Inside Jim Knowles' Continued Search for the Ultimate Hybrid Defense

A deep dive into the 'Stubbie-4' coverage and why Jim Knowles felt he had to leave Columbus to finally run his true defensive system in State College.

There were only three elite defenses in 2024 at the college level: Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Texas. Of the three, Ohio State played the toughest schedule, 10th according to BCFToys, and defeated Notre Dame in the National Championship. The Buckeyes’ defense was loaded with talent, having eight total draft picks in this Spring’s NFL Draft.

But it only took Jim Knowles less than 48 hours after the National Championship to decide to leave Columbus for rival Penn State. According to ESPN, Knowles called Franklin at 5:06 AM on January 22nd and inquired about the Nittany Lions’ defensive coordinator opening. As James Franklin put it, “To be honest with you, I didn't know how serious it was, but it went pretty quickly from that point on.”

It is not often that one of the top defensive minds becomes available for a seemingly lateral move. Knowles wasn’t bolting for a head coaching opportunity; he was leaving for a rival.

Another surprising move on the surface created the opening. Tom Allen, former Indiana Head Coach, left State College to assume the coordinator role at Clemson. When discussing the move, Allen was very clear as to why he made the decision,

“Our two daughters actually both live in the Carolinas… So the chance to have our two girls close by and [son] Thomas here with us and his little son ... so family means a lot to me, and my wife has made some amazing sacrifices over the years for me to pursue the dream that I've put my heart in to coach football at this level.”

Right place. Right time. But why leave Ohio State, a seemingly juggernaut, for Penn State, a program that just can’t get over the hump? Timing, again, is everything.

“Season's over, everything coming to a head again quickly. Ohio State hasn't come forward with a deal, and it's like, OK, if I'm going to act on this or at least explore it, I have got to make the call.” Knowles told ESPN.

The inactivity to sign what is probably the most critical hire for Ryan Day is stunning (Day is an offensive coach). In short, Penn State outbid the Buckeyes and took advantage of the rift between the Head Coach and the DC. Knowles went on to explain that there were other offers on the table that he was considering.

Then, Ohio State made a request, ‘Don’t come to the parade.’ As Knowles put it, “Maybe I'll take less because Ohio State's a great place, but then they asked me not to come to the parade. So then you're like, 'OK, honestly, the writing is on the wall.”

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At the time, Oklahoma and Notre Dame also needed a DC. The Nittany Lions needed to pounce, and they did. Franklin and Penn State offered the highly coveted DC $3.1 million to call defense in State College. Knowles excepted.