Ohio State has offered Jim Knowles a contract that would make him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, a source told The Dispatch.
Michigan’s Wink Martindale was the highest-paid defensive coordinator in 2024, earning $2.5 million. His contract calls for him to make $2.75 million next year.
Knowles signed a three-year extension last January with an annual base salary worth $2.2 million that is eligible for annual increases. The contract expires on an. 31, 2027.
Knowles directed a defense that enabled Ohio State to win the national title on Monday with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship game. That earned him $770,000 in bonus pay.
The Buckeyes had the top-ranked defense in college football in most significant categories, including points per game (12.2) and yardage allowed (251.1 per game).
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Even before the title game, rumors swirled that Oklahoma was pursuing Knowles. Knowles coached at Oklahoma State before Ohio State coach Ryan Day hired him in 2022 to revamp the Buckeyes’ struggling defense.
Asked about his future immediately after the game, Knowles told The Dispatch, “I’m coaching at Ohio State.”
Penn State reportedly also is pursuing Knowles. The Nittany Lions’ coordinator, Tom Allen, left for Clemson a week ago.
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