Ohio State Fans Furious as DC Jim Knowles Jumps to Big Ten Rival
The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrated the highest high less than a week ago, winning the national championship game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Since then, there have been a few defections from the team that have left fans a bit frustrated. While many of the defections have been from players who were always expected to go to the NFL draft, like RB Quinshon Judkins, the Buckeyes suffered a massive loss on Sunday afternoon, with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles reportedly accepting the DC job for the Penn State Nittany Lions, staying in the Big Ten.
The 59-year-old was also linked to a couple of defensive coordinator jobs in the NFL, as has OSU offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, and he was rumored to be targeted by Oklahoma, as well as Notre Dame after it lost Al Golden to the Cincinnati Bengals. He ultimately chose to stay in the Big Ten.
Buckeyes DC Jim Knowles
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Knowles led the best defense in the nation this year, and is considered one of, if not the best defensive coordinator in all of college football. It's safe to say that this is a big loss for Ohio State, and the fans certainly took it that way on social media.
Here's how they reacted:
Per multiple reports, Penn State is offering Knowles a salary in excess of $3 million per year, making him the highest-paid coordinator in college football and more than doubling how much his predecessor was making.
The Buckeyes allowed the fewest yards (254.6) and points per game (12.9), and the third-fewest passing yards (167) and rushing yards per game (87.6).
Going forward, we will see who the Buckeyes end up hiring as their defensive coordinator to replace Knowles and keep the Ohio State defense at the top of the nation. Meanwhile, Ryan Day will have to focus on trying to keep offensive coordinator Chip Kelly in Columbus as well, with NFL teams starting to try and pry him away from the Buckeyes as well.
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