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Jim Knowles hired as Tennessee defensive coordinator for Josh Heupel
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- Jim Knowles hired as Tennessee defensive coordinator for Josh Heupel
Penn State's Jim Knowles has replaced Tim Banks as Tennessee 's new defensive coordinator, UT announced on Dec. 11.
Knowles signed a three-year deal with Tennessee that pays him $6.6 million plus bonuses , according to a memorandum of understanding UT provided to Knox News. He will earn $2 million in the 2026 season, $2.2 million in the 2027 season and $2.4 million in the 2028 season. His contract will expire on Jan. 31, 2029.
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"Hiring Jim Knowles was our top priority from the start of this process," Heupel said in a school release. "Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff. His defenses are always physical, well prepared and can adapt quickly in-game against today's complex offenses.
"He's a competitor, a winner and someone who will get the most out of our players in practice and on gameday. We are thrilled to welcome Jim to Rocky Top as he helps us chase championships."
Players were told about Knowles' hiring during a team meeting.
On paper, it's a home run hire by Heupel. Knowles is regarded as one of the best veteran defensive coordinators in college football.
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A year ago, Penn State hired Knowles away from Ohio State and made him the highest paid defensive coordinator in college football at $3.1 million per year.
Knowles, 60, has routinely coached one of the nation's best defenses over the past decade, first at Oklahoma State (2018-21) and then Ohio State (2022-24). He also served as Duke defensive coordinator (2010-17) under former Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, and he was Western Michigan's defensive coordinator (2001-02).
Along the way, Knowles was also an Ivy League head coach for his alma mater. He posted a 26-34 record at Cornell from 2004-09.
"I am excited for this opportunity to work with Coach Heupel and represent Vol Nation," Knowles said the school release.
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Jim Knowles' Ohio State defense beat Tennessee, won national title
Tennessee is most familiar with his work at Ohio State. He built the elite defense that helped the Buckeyes win the 2024 national championship, which included a 42-17 win over Tennessee in a College Football Playoff first-round game. Knowles' defense held the Vols to only 256 yards of total offense in that game.
In 2021, Knowles' Oklahoma State squad ranked ninth in scoring defense (18.1 ppg). In 2024, his Ohio State unit led the nation in scoring defense (12.9 ppg) and total defense (254.6 ypg). But it could steady progress to reach that level. Knowles has a reputation of coaching a complex scheme, but it pays off over time.
At Penn State this season, the Nittany Lions ranked 37th in scoring defense (21.4 ppg) and 34th in total defense (334.3 ypg) while dealing with the fallout of coach James Franklin's firing.
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Coincidentally, Banks was Penn State's defensive coordinator before Heupel hired him on his original UT staff in 2021. But Banks and Knowles never coached together.
Tennessee fired Banks after Tennessee's defense took a downturn in 2025. The Vols allowed at least 30 points in seven of eight SEC games. They ranked 92nd nationally in scoring defense (28.8 ppg) and 116th in pass defense (248.8 ypg).
That disappointing performance came a year after Banks was a finalist for the Broyles Award finalist and signed a contract extension that paid him $2.15 million annually through the 2027 season. In 2024, Banks guided the stingiest Vols defense since the 1998 national title team, allowing only 16.1 points per game.
But that success wasn't sustained, and the decline started with that CFP loss to Knowles' Ohio State team.
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Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jim Knowles hired as Tennessee defensive coordinator for Josh Heupel
