Tennessee Football Poised to Hire Jim Knowles as Defensive Coordinator
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Tennessee football fans are on the cusp of a significant defensive overhaul. According to reports from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz on Wednesday, the Volunteers are expected to name Jim Knowles, formerly the defensive coordinator at Penn State, as their new defensive leader, replacing Tim Banks who was dismissed on Monday after five seasons.
The move signals a swift and decisive response from head coach Josh Heupel following a concerning defensive regression in the 2025 season. Tennessee plummeted from seventh nationally in scoring defense to 92nd, allowing an average of 28.8 points per game – a stark contrast to the progress made under Banks and his staff in the preceding three years. This defensive slide occurred despite a three-year contract extension for Banks, increasing his salary to $2.15 million.
A National Championship Pedigree
Knowles, 60, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to Knoxville. He recently concluded a season at Penn State, following a highly successful tenure as the defensive coordinator for Ohio State, which culminated in a 2024 national championship victory. Notably, that championship run began with a College Football Playoff first-round win against Tennessee.
Despite a challenging season for the Nittany Lions in 2025, Knowles’s defense still ranked respectably, finishing 34th nationally in total defense and 37th in scoring defense, conceding just 21.4 points per game. While below Penn State’s usual standards, a top-40 defense would represent a substantial improvement for the Volunteers.
Familiar Connections and a Strategic Hire
The hiring of Knowles is particularly interesting given his established relationship with David Cutcliffe, the former Tennessee offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach who currently works within the SEC office. Knowles spent significant portions of his career working under Cutcliffe at both Ole Miss and Duke. This connection could prove valuable in navigating the complexities of the SEC landscape.
Knowles’s coaching journey began in 1988 at Cornell, where he spent nine years coaching the defensive line, running backs, and linebackers. He then held positions at Western Michigan (1997-2002), before his initial stint with Cutcliffe at Ole Miss in 2003 as the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator.
He later served as head coach at Cornell for six seasons (2004-2009), posting a 26-34 record, before reuniting with Cutcliffe at Duke, where he coordinated the defense for eight seasons (2010-2017). A four-year run at Oklahoma State (2018-2021) saw him build a top-five defense that propelled the Cowboys to 12 wins and a near-Big 12 title.
Buyout Negotiations and Official Announcement
The transition to Tennessee wasn’t without its complexities. ESPN reported that finalizing Knowles’s buyout with Penn State was a key component of the agreement. The university has yet to formally announce the hire, but all indications point to Knowles taking the reins of the Volunteers’ defense.
This hire represents a significant investment in the future of Tennessee football, signaling Heupel’s commitment to restoring the program’s defensive prowess and competing for championships in the SEC.
