In a recent appearance, Penn State head coach James Franklin disclosed the secret to the triumphant recruitment of Jim Knowles, football’s highest-paid defensive coordinator with an annual salary of around $3 million. Franklin also honored Knowles’ immediate contribution.
James Franklin’s Winning Strategy Behind Landing Jim Knowles
Franklin revealed the key to landing Knowles from Ohio State during his recent appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. The Penn State coach clarified that his pitch wasn’t about rebuilding from scratch.
“All these discussions. We’re not at a point where we can afford to start over, right? Like Jim, you’re coming here. We already got a really good foundation,” Franklin explained to Cowherd. This showed confidence in Penn State’s defensive culture rather than promising a complete overhaul.
Franklin emphasized that Penn State’s defensive success made the job attractive. He noted, “I’ve been fortunate. Every defensive coordinator that’s worked for me has had a top 10 defense.” This track record gave Knowles confidence that he could continue his success in Happy Valley.
The philosophical fit between the two programs made the transition smoother. Franklin said, “So, Jim, you know, we’re not asking you to come in and change what we do. And philosophically, we do a lot of things the same. Both are four-down fronts. We’ve been attack style. We play man and zone. So it fit for him as well.”
This alignment meant Knowles wouldn’t have to learn an entirely new system. Instead, Franklin’s approach was simple: “So, you know, what can stay the same? What needs to change? And let’s get rolling.”
The Penn State coach has been impressed with Knowles since his arrival. “And he’s done a really good job. He’s obviously been a defense coordinator for a long time. He’s been a head coach. He’s been great,” Franklin said during the interview.
The personal connection also mattered. Franklin highlighted that Knowles “grew up in Philadelphia, went to St. Joe’s Prep. So, you know, we’re glad to have him. He’s done a phenomenal job since he’s been on campus.”
This hire represents a major win for Penn State in its rivalry with Ohio State. By offering Knowles a record-breaking contract and selling him on continuity rather than change, Franklin landed one of college football’s top defensive minds.
With Drew Allar returning at quarterback and now Knowles running the defense, Penn State has positioned itself as a serious national championship contender for the 2025 season.
