As Ryan Day looks to hire his fourth defensive coordinator in seven seasons, here are potential candidates to replace Jim Knowles.

Ohio State football asked former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to not show up to the Buckeyes championship celebration.

Here are three potential options who could fill the Ohio State Buckeyes' defensive coordinator vacancy in 2025.

As Ohio State’s celebration tour for the school’s ninth national title continues, some of the Buckeyes’ key defensive players are grappling with the departure of their defensive coordinator. Jim Knowles decided to leave Columbus for Big Ten rival Penn State after three years at Ohio State,

According to The Action Network's Brett McMurphy, Knowles was asked by school not to attend Buckeyes’ national title celebration while he deliberated his coaching options. Not long after the rally concluded, it was announced that Knowles was signing a contract to become the next DC for the Penn State Nittany Lions, a major Big Ten rival.

Just as Ohio State was celebrating its national championship victory at Ohio Stadium on Sunday, news broke that Jim Knowles was heading to Penn State.

However, Knowles wasn’t in attendance. About an hour later, reports surfaced that Knowles is leaving Ohio State to serve as Penn State’s next defensive coordinator. The move leaves Day searching for a replacement. Here’s who he might consider as he enters his seventh season as the Buckeyes' head coach.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar runs as Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, defensive tackle Ty Hamilton and defensive end JT Tuimoloau move in during the fourth quarter on Nov. 2, 2024. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com PennLive

Ohio State asked defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to skip the team's College Football Playoff national championship celebration while he considered a

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles ruffled feathers in Columbus by accepting a job at Penn State. The traitorous move to a Big Ten rival came

Jim Knowles is expected to take the same position at Penn State, as first reported by Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger. The two sides are finalizing a three-year deal reportedly worth $3.1 million per season, making him the first college football coordinator to earn an annual salary of at least $3 million.