Ohio State makes their attempt to keep DC Jim Knowles that would have him cashing in big time…

Ohio State had to turn their attention from winning the National Championship to team and coaching staff decisions for the future rather quickly.

One of the biggest talking points has been around defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and whether or not he could leave Columbus after a standout year for his unit. Knowles has multiple teams interested in poaching him after three years at Ohio State. The Ohio State DC currently makes $2.2 million annually.

The Buckeyes are not going to let other teams walk in and offer Knowles a bigger payday without pushback. According to a report from the Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State has an offer on the table to make Knowles the highest-paid defensive coordinator.

Jim Knowles is going to be the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football no matter where he is

Michigan’s Wink Martindale is set to make $2.75 million in 2025, which is the most among defensive coordinators. Oklahoma is said to have offered Knowles $3 million and that there are offers even heftier than that out there. The point is that Knowles is going to choose a route and become the highest-paid DC in the sport in the end.

Ohio State had the No. 14 defense in yards allowed in Knowles’ first season. That improved to 3rd and then 1st over the last two seasons. It is obvious that Knowles means something to this team and has a key part in their National Championship season. Multiple defensive stops showed up big for the Buckeyes in 2024.

Other programs like Penn State and Notre Dame are showing interest in Knowles. Tom Allen left the Nittany Lions to be the coordinator at Clemson, while Al Golden went to the NFL after Ohio State beat Notre Dame in the National Championship. Either of those schools, as well as Oklahoma, would have to make Knowles the highest-paid defensive coordinator to get him from Columbus.

With success comes issues like these that pop up, it is just how it goes. Ohio State would like to keep their defensive coordinator, who is soon going to be the highest-paid at his position in college football.