Penn State has been on the lookout for a new defensive coordinator for the past two weeks. That is how long ago Tom Allen decided to leave Penn State after one year to become the defensive coordinator at Clemson. So what exactly has been taking Penn State so long to name his replacement on James Franklin’s staff?
The speculation has been that Penn State has its eyes set on Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. If that is the big fish Penn State is trying to lure, the delay in naming a new defensive coordinator makes sense as Knowles has been a bit preoccupied up until this week coaching the Ohio State defense on a run to a national championship. If Penn State is able to bring Knowles over from Columbus, that would be a massive pull for Franklin and the Nittany Lions. Reports have suggested Penn State is offering Knowles a hefty contract to take on coaching the Penn State defense, and a decision from Knowles on his future could come as early as this weekend. Penn State is expected to be in the mix. But Penn State has some beefy competition for one of the top defensive minds in the college game.
Notre Dame is also one of those schools hoping to bring Knowles to their staff. The Fighting Irish are looking to replace former Penn Stater Al Golden after Golden left his position as defensive coordinator in South Bend it return to the NFL as the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. Oklahoma is also rumored to be pursuing Knowles and Ohio State is hoping to bring him back as well as they prepare to defend their national title status in 2025.
Penn State has certainly made some high-quality hires as defensive coordinator since having to go outside of Franklin’s coaching staff to find a replacement. Following the departure of longtime Franklin assistant Brent Pry to be the head coach at Virginia Tech, Penn State has hired Manny Diaz and Tom Allen. Both coordinators did extremely well in crafting one of the top defenses in the Big Ten. If Knowles does not come to Happy Valley, there is reason to believe Penn State will have a good candidate lined up.
The backup plan may be promoting from within. Anthony Poindexter would be a popular name within the program. The safeties coach has been a co-defensive coordinator for Franklin and would be a natural fit to take over the role as a solid alternative to Knowles.
For now, do not expect Penn State to announce anything until Knowles decides what he wants to do. If Penn State does make an announcement that does not include Knowles, that would suggest Penn State was informed Knowles will be going elsewhere or staying put with the Buckeyes.
In any event, we could be nearing a decision on who will run the defense in 2025 in a matter of days.
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