According to Chris Low of On3, the Tennessee Volunteers are looking to bring in Jim Knowles as their new defensive coordinator. Knowles recently worked with Penn State and is currently navigating a buyout process, but Knoxville seems to be in his future.
Tennessee recently parted ways with Tim Banks, creating an opening for the DC position. Hiring Knowles could be a game-changer. Head coach Josh Heupel aims to bring the team back into the College Football Playoff conversation, and Knowles has proven experience in that arena.
Last season, Tennessee struggled defensively, ranking among the bottom teams in both scoring and total yards allowed. They weren’t last in all categories, but they allowed almost 29 points per game. When considering games against power conference teams, that number goes up slightly to 29.5. It’s clear the Vols need improvement, particularly in their pass defense, where only Vanderbilt fared worse.
With high expectations on his shoulders, Knowles will need to leverage the NCAA transfer portal to make significant upgrades to the defense this offseason.
Knowles has had a varied and successful coaching career. His crowning achievement came in 2024 when he was part of the national championship-winning Ohio State team. His talents helped transform the defensive unit, culminating a successful three-year period.
At Oklahoma State, Knowles was instrumental in improving the defense significantly. When he joined, they ranked 97th in scoring defense in 2018, but under his leadership, they climbed to 9th by 2021. This remarkable progression shows his capability to elevate a team’s defensive performance.
However, his time at Penn State was a mixed bag. The defense had standout moments but also faced puzzling setbacks. The late-season coaching changes, particularly with James Franklin’s departure early in the season, likely added pressure to the entire team. Now, Knowles finds himself in the SEC, transitioning to a new challenge after not being retained by Penn State’s new head coach, Matt Campbell.
As recruitment and defensive strategies evolve in college football, Knowles’ experience will be crucial for Tennessee. The Vols hope his track record translates into results on the field, aiming not just for improvement, but to make a mark in a competitive conference.
