Breaking News: Penn State football poaches Jim Knowles from Ohio State for DC gig….

Penn State football is pulling off a major coup. The Nittany Lions are signing away defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Ohio State, per 247 Sports. Knowles was in talks with Ohio State on a major pay raise, but it apparently didn’t pan out.

Knowles’ Ohio State defense was ranked first in the country this year in yards allowed per play. That tough Buckeyes unit was a major factor in getting the team to the College Football Playoff. By leaving Ohio State, the balance of power might be shifting in the Big Ten Conference.

Penn State was one of several schools looking to grab Knowles, and the Nittany Lions pulled it off. Other teams interested included Notre Dame and Oklahoma.

Ohio State won the CFP, by defeating Notre Dame in the final. The Buckeyes also knocked off Tennessee, Oregon and Texas en route to the championship.