Ohio State is coming off a national championship season in which Knowles defense was ranked No. 1 in fewest yards allowed per game (254.6) and fewest points per game (12.9). Penn State made it to the Final Four. It will take time for Penn State’s defensive assistants and players to get on the same page with Knowles.

New Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said Tuesday the Nittany Lions are "so close" to winning their first national championship in almost four decades.

Knowles would fill the void on Penn State’s staff left by Tom Allen, who accepted the same position with Clemson earlier this month.