Tennessee is set to hire Jim Knowles as its next defensive coordinator, as first reported by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, though the move has not been made official.
The pursuit comes days after Josh Heupel parted ways with Tim Banks following a steep defensive regression. Tennessee finished in the high 80s nationally in total defense and allowed nearly 400 yards per game after being a strength a year ago.
Knowles is a 37-year college football coaching veteran with 17 years of experience as a defensive coordinator. His coordinator stops include Ohio State (2022-24), Oklahoma State (2018-21), Duke (2011-17) and Western Michigan (1997-2002).
A track record of elite defenses and program-wide lifts
Knowles’ recent four-year run split between Ohio State and Oklahoma State has been the statistical centerpiece of his reputation. Over that span, defenses coordinated by Knowles ranked first nationally in total defense (284.8), second in scoring defense (15.7) and third in third-down efficiency (30.5%).
His three seasons running Ohio State’s defense produced a championship-level ceiling. This past season, the Buckeyes won the national title with a defense that ranked first nationally in scoring defense, total defense, and among the leaders in sacks and red-zone defense.
Before Ohio State, Knowles built Oklahoma State into one of the country’s most disruptive units. In 2021, the Cowboys led the Big 12 and ranked in the top five nationally in sacks (first), tackles for loss (second), third-down defense (second), total defense (fifth) and rushing defense (fifth).
Quick improvement, plus a learning curve he doesn’t hide
Knowles is known for something that can sound contradictory. His defenses can improve quickly, but the full “finished product” often arrives later.
The early gains tend to show up in areas that respond fastest to structure and clarity, such as third-down plans and cutting down on busted plays. Over time, as players become fluent, the defense plays faster. That creates room for more disguise because everyone is seeing the same picture pre-snap and reacting rather than thinking.
Knowles has been direct about why that tension exists, framing it as the price of playing modern defense.
“I think in today’s game of football, it needs to be somewhat complicated because you need to have answers for everything, particularly at this level,” Knowles said at Penn State’s Media Day.
“For teaching and installing, I’ve gotten better at it, I’ve had to,” Knowles added. “Our charge is to be great now. If it’s too complicated, or if I can’t get it installed quickly, that’s my fault. I think I’ve developed a process that helps move it along at a more rapid pace.”
In his introductory press conference, he struck the same balance in different language. He emphasized a defense built on installing it at “the pace of the players,” rather than trying to do everything at once.
Why it looks like a strong Tennessee fit
If Tennessee closes the deal, the bet is that Knowles can fix what slipped. The Volunteers don’t need a philosophical overhaul as much as they need a defense that is steadier down to down. The Vols’ focus should be on fewer breakdowns, more third-down stops, and more negative plays that flip possessions.
Knowles’ best units have lived in that space. If the hire is finalized, Tennessee will be banking on immediate stabilization. Then with expectations the full ceiling follows as the roster becomes fluent in a system designed, as Knowles put it, to “have answers for everything.”
