Knowles would join James Franklin's Penn State staff after three seasons at Ohio State, where he won a national championship.

After he helped guide Ohio State to a national championship, Jim Knowles is finalizing a deal with Penn State to become the highest paid defensive coordinator in college football, ESPN reported Sunday.

Fresh off a national championship run with Ohio State, Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has accepted the same position at Big Ten rival Penn State, Matt Zentiz confirms. Though the exact numbers of the deal aren't public yet,