Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left the Buckeyes program in a surprising turn of events, accepting the same job with the Penn State Nittany Lions

The Ohio State Buckeyes are college football national champions for the first time since the 2014-15 season after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday night. The Buckeyes survived a 4th quarter comeback attempt by the Irish late in the fourth quarter to claim the second consecutive national championship for the Big Ten Conference in as many seasons.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day spent the weekend celebrating the program's ninth national championship, a crowning achievement for a group that had operated like one of the best teams in the country all year and then played some of its best football in the biggest moments with a challenging run through the College Football Playoff.

Penn State made the hiring of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles official on Monday. Here's what each had to say about the move

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football’s national title defense will come with a new face running the defense. The Buckeyes are losing defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. After three seasons in Columbus, he’s leaving to serve as Penn State’s defensive coordinator.

One of the most surprising coaching moves of the college football offseason was former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles heading to Penn State to serve in the same role for the Buckeyes' Big Ten rival. The Pennsylvania native had just helped lead Ohio State and the nation's top defense to a College Football Playoff national championship.

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 and Penn State are Big Ten rivals. The Buckeyes have won the last eight games in the series, and in 2024, Ohio State won 20-13 in University Park. Knowles will make his return to Columbus next season on Nov. 1.

In a shocking turn of events, things appear to be getting worse for Ohio State following its national title. On Sunday, multiple reports have indicated that the

Penn State has officially hired Jim Knowles away from Ohio State to be its next defensive coordinator. The news of the massive change broke Sunday and was officially announced by the university on Monday following a Board of Trustees committee meeting.

After spending three years at Ohio State, Jim Knowles is packing his bags for a transition to Penn State. James Franklin will finally get a veteran coach to oversee the defense—something that has been overdue.