Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is headed to the same position at Tennessee, according to multiple media reports.

ESPN reported Wednesday that ‍Penn State is negotiating a buyout for Knowles, who is owed more than $7 million on the remaining two years of the contract he signed when he joined the Nittany Lions ahead of the 2025 season.

Knowles joined Penn State ‌after helping Ohio State to the ‌national title in 2024. The Buckeyes rode the No. 1 defense in the country to four victories in the College Football Playoff that season, including a 34-23 win over Notre Dame in the title game. Ohio State gave up just 12.9 points and 254.6 yards per ‍game.

When Knowles, a Pennsylvania native, joined the Nittany Lions, he became the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the nation.

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