Knowles has carved out a stellar career for himself. His stock took off as Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator from 2018-21. He’s been at Ohio State since 2022, producing top defenses and first-round picks. He might be the best DC in the country.

The Buckeyes defensive coordinator is focused on beating Notre Dame for the national championship, but he's long been rumored to be on Brent Venables' wish list

Jim Knowles has a pretty good gig at Ohio State, but could he be lured to OU? Why the defensive coordinator move isn't completely impossible.

Speaking at media day ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game on Saturday, Knowles sidestepped the question. Knowles was the third-highest paid assistant in college football in 2024, earning $2.2 million. He remains under contract through 2026. Oklahoma paid Alley $850,000.

Weeks after Zac Alley departed from Oklahoma in favor of West Virginia, the Sooners are rumored to be targeting Ohio State's accomplished defensive coordinator.

Jim Knowles, the best defensive coordinator in college football, would be great at OU. But would sky-high salary be good for Sooners in this NIL era?

Ohio State would not have won the national championship this season without Jim Knowles. Knowles, 59, has been the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator since 2022. This year, he helped the OSU defense become one of the best units in the country,