Tag: Jim Knowles

Ohio State football one of 12 Power 4 programs in this crucial defensive stat

Ohio State football had a dominant 52-6 win to open the season, and its defense was among the most impressive in the country.

Ohio State football had an explosive offensive showing in its Week 1 win over the Akron Zips.

Winning 52-6, the Buckeyes struggled to get going early, having been up just 7-3 at the end of the first, but they figured things out and really started to put it on the MAC side.

While Ohio State’s offense will be what most talked about, it is the defense that might be the more potent side. The Buckeyes defense was among the best in the country last season and had a dominant Week 1 start.

Ohio State gave up just 2.8 yards per play, the 8th-best mark in the Power 4. While LSU and and USC are still set to play, given the high-profile nature of both offenses, neither defense is expected to be on this list.

The Buckeyes didn’t play a capable offense like they will later in the season, but their defense got in the end zone twice and displayed why they should be considered an elite unit. While the linebacking unit is strong, the defensive line and secondary are what make this well-oiled machine work at its best.

Ohio State had two interceptions and five sacks. The leaders of the respective units, JT Tuimoloau and Lathan Ransom, combined for 1.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for a loss and a touchdown.

Expect the Buckeyes defense to continue to drastically limit opponents moving forward, especially with Western Michigan on the docket for Week 2.

Jim Knowles thinks safety, linebacker depth will be Ohio State’s main weakness

Ohio State will have a slew of players returning on the defensive side of the ball, and safety depth is the only thing worrying Jim Knowles. #GoBucks

The Ohio State Buckeyes are poised to have one of the best defenses in the nation.

Last season, they were good, and this season, they’re expected to be even better. Ohio State is returning many key starters, including safety Lathan Ransom, who was among the key secondary leaders.

While he and Caleb Downs will main the free and strong safety position, the depth behind them should injuries set in throughout the long season is what is on defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ mind.

Knowles sat down with the Columbus Dispatch’s Bill Rabinowitz and spoke on everything defense. Here’s an interesting part where he touched base on where the weakness of this formidable unit could lie.

“No. I think depth at safety − it’s going to be a long season − and development of those linebackers that have not played a lot of that position (is an issue),” Knowles said. “Sonny is making the transition. C.J. has been developing for two years and has to be the guy this year along with Sonny, so we need to get those guys on the field and going. Then who’s next at linebacker − Gabe Powers, Arvell Reese – already capable guys. And then the depth of safety. We’ve got Caleb Downs, who’s a great player with a great football mind and football intelligence. And Lathan (Ransom) is back. Who’s going to step up behind them? Malik Hartford, (Jayden) Bonsu, Keenan (Nelson Jr.) our transfer from South Carolina. So the depth at safety and linebacker (is a concern) because it’s a long season.”

Overall, Ohio State, who sat atop the nation in opponents passing yards last season, don’t have a ton to worry about. The defensive unit is strong, and the front should allow little time for receivers to get open regardless.

However, if there is one weak point, it’ll be safety depth. That said, let’s hope that isn’t one tested this upcoming season.

Jim Knowles on Ohio State defense: “We can do anything”

Jim Knowles is entering his third season as the Buckeyes defensive coordinator and has high expectations for the defense. #GoBucks

Jim Knowles sat down with the Columbus Dispatch recently, and the Ohio Sate football defensive coordinator heaped praise on his side of the ball, suggesting there is no ceiling.

He has high expectations for his side of the ball as the former Cornell defensive end enters his third season with the Buckeyes.

“There’s no limits to how good we can be. We can do anything. Last year in Year 2, we moved into what I would say would be considered a top-five defense,” Knowles said via Columbus Dispatch’s Bill Rabinowitz. “Not in all categories, but in a significant number of categories. That’s what we say means to be a Silver Bullet defense, to be a top-five defense. Ultimately, you’d like to be top five in every single category. That’s not impossible. It’s really not.”

Building on last season won’t be easy. The Buckeyes allowed 145.9 passing yards per game, the fewest in the nation. They also allowed just a 52.7% completion rate.

With many starters back and numerous players getting more experience, Knowles is right, and the ceiling might not have a roof. That said, while it sounds impossible, top five in every category might be doable for this unit.

James Laurinaitis promoted to linebacker coach

James Laurinaitis promoted to linebacker coach #GoBucks

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind when talking about Ohio State football coaches coming and going and the most recent change has been announced. James Laurinaitis has officially been promoted to become the linebackers coach for the Buckeyes.

Laurinaitis spent this last season as a graduate assistant and it was also his first season in Columbus, Ohio, in that role. Still, it only took that one year for Ryan Day and company to pull the trigger and announce him as one of the ten full-time assistants on staff.

There was some slight worry that Laurinaitis may leave to the NFL as he interviewed with the Cleveland Browns, but that may have been the motivation Ohio State needed to give the former Buckeye All-American a full-time position.

Laurinaitis was given a two-year contract and will be taking over for Jim Knowles who was playing the role of defensive coordinator and linebacker coach.

Penn State’s Manny Diaz hired for Duke job, ending Jim Knowles’ candidacy

In case you missed it, Knowles wasn’t hired by Duke, so onward and upward. #GoBucks

The Duke Blue Devils have hired their man and it’s not Ohio State defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles. News surfaced last week that Knowles and the administrators at Duke had discussions about its head football coaching position, and for good reason. Knowles has a previous history with the program and has made a significant name for himself because of his defensive pedigree.

However, Knowles wasn’t the other candidate, and the Blue Devils announced the hiring (subscription may be required) of Penn State defensive coordinator, Manny Diaz, instead, thus ending the chances of Knowles moving on from the program for a better opportunity — at least for now.

Knowles was brought in by OSU head coach Ryan Day to stop the bleeding of a Buckeyes’ defense that had sprung far too many leaks over a couple year time, especially when it came to big plays. He made a name for himself retooling the Oklahoma State defense and the hope was that he could do the same in Columbus.

So far, so good, as the defense has progressed over the last two years, showing improvement in 2022 and then again in 2023. Knowles has shown a willingness and ability to not be stuck in his ways and make subtle changes necessary to improve based on the league and personnel.

Keeping Knowles as the architect of the defense is a win for Ohio State. One of the things that can really derail keeping the program at a high level and continuing to move forward is losing high-priority coaches. Knowles definitely fits that bill and hopefully we’ll see continued improvement with that side of the ball with him still running the show.

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Coaching carousel rumor mill: Ohio State DC Jim Knowles in play for Duke HC job

This could complicate things for USC in its pursuit of Jim Leonhard.

The coaching carousel is spinning. Some actual transactions have occurred in recent days, but a lot more of the action right now is confined to rumor and speculation.

One interesting piece of speculation is that Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is being considered for the open Duke head coaching job vacated by Mike Elko, who went to Texas A&M.

Buckeyes Wire has more on the story:

Offensive line coach Justin Frye has been connected to the open Indiana head coaching position, and now defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has at least been mentioned as a potential fit to take over the Duke program by one publication.

The Blue Devils saw their head coach Mike Elko leave to take over Texas A&M, which is why they have a vacancy. 247Sports Brad Crawford believes that Knowles would be a fit, especially considering he used to be a coordinator for Duke while David Cutcliffe was leading the program.

The key here is that “sources tell 247Sports that they’re unsure if he’s interested in being a head coach at this stage of his career.”

If Knowles does want the Duke job, Ohio State and USC would both have defensive coordinator vacancies. Michigan State, another 2024 Big Ten program, also has a vacancy. This could complicate any scenario for USC in terms of getting either Jim Leonhard or Tom Allen to come to Los Angeles.

Stay with Trojans Wire for extensive coaching carousel coverage and analysis.

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Ohio State football coordinator Jim Knowles mentioned as good fit for ACC program

The coaching rumor mill is in full effect with Knowles name being circulated as a good fit for one ACC program. #GoBucks

It’s not just one Ohio State football coach teams are considering to lead their programs this offseason. A second name is being thrown out there.

Offensive line coach Justin Frye has been connected to the open Indiana head coaching position. Now defensive coordinator [autotag]Jim Knowles[/autotag] has been mentioned as a potential fit to take over the Duke program.

The Blue Devils’ head coach Mike Elko left to take over Texas A&M, creating the vacancy. 247Sports Brad Crawford believes Knowles would be a fit considering he was a coordinator for Duke while David Cutcliffe was leading the program.

The key here is that “sources tell 247Sports they’re unsure if he’s interested in being a head coach at this stage of his career.”

Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Knowles is in his second season with the Buckeyes, who showed improvement but not quite enough to make it back to the Big Ten championship game.

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Ohio State football defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is a Broyles Award semifinalist

The Buckeye DC has been great this season.

Over the last few years, the one aspect that has held Ohio State football back has been its defense.

Offensively, the Buckeyes have been outstanding during that stretch, but the defense has failed them. Last year it very well could have cost Ohio State a College Football Playoff notational title, and defensive coordinator [autotag]Jim Knowles[/autotag] went to work this offseason to fix the issues.

It’s safe to say that he’s done what he set out to do. The Buckeyes are No. 2 in the nation in scoring defense, No. 3 in the country in total defense, No. 1 in team passing efficiency defense, No. 8 in third down conversion rate allowed — and the list goes on and on.

Knowles turnaround of the Buckeye defense has caught the eye of many, as he was named as a semi-finalist for the [autotag]Broyles Award[/autotag], given out annually to the top coordinator in the nation.

Ohio State has seen two of its previous assistants with this award, defensive coordinator Jim Heacock in 2007, and offensive coordinator Tom Herman in 2014. Hopefully Knowles makes it three later this year.

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Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano has high praise for Ohio State defense

The former Buckeye coach knows defense #GoBucks

The [autotag]Ohio State football[/autotag] defense was a liability last season, but they have made a complete reversal in it’s play this season.

The Buckeyes ranks among the nations best in points, and yards allowed, while the have done a fantastic job limiting big plays, which was their Achilles heel last season.

Many have noticed, and this week’s foe, Rutgers, definitely has. Head coach [autotag]Greg Schiano[/autotag], a former Ohio State assistant, spoke extremely high about the Buckeye defense. He believes that “every single guy there will be an NFL player,” and not just the starters.

Schiano thinks that some of the backups will have the opportunity to play at the next level as well.

It’s high praise for a unit that needed to turn things around. Defensive coordinator [autotag]Jim Knowles[/autotag] deserves a lot of credit for doing just that in one offseason.

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X.

How Big Ten and other coaches around the country reacted to Michigan’s sign stealing saga

Here’s how Big Ten coaches and others across the nation have reacted thus far when asked about Michigan and sign stealing allegations. #B1G

For almost a week now, [autotag]Ohio State football[/autotag]’s main rival Michigan, has been in the midst of sign stealing allegations.

The accusations are fairly simple: Recruiting analyst, Connor Stalions, would visit upcoming Wolverine opponents, record their sideline signals, decode them, and stand extremely close to coaches on game days to help figure out what plays opponents would run.

That’s what is being alleged by and large anyhow before we get the benefit of anything that comes from an official investigation. So, patience Buckeye Nation before piling on, something not easy to do when brought up with the rivalry in The Game.

It’s a scheme that has seen more than a few coaches speak out on it, some with more intricate answers than others. Find out below what some Big Ten and other coaches around the country said regarding the most recent issues at Michigan. We have video, tweets in some cases, and a brief response for each.