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Knowles aims to help PSU ‘close gap’

UNIVERSITY PARK — Jim Knowles arrives as the nation’s highest paid assistant coach at $9.3 million — $3.1 annually for three years — but he was quick to point out Tuesday that he grew to this pinnacle from humble roots.

The Nittany Lions’ new defensive coordinator was a “guttersnipe” in North Philadelphia and “never dreamt” of ever attending a Penn State game due to his family’s financial hardship.

To him, State College was as far away as California.

But the soft-spoken, thoughtful Knowles did know about Penn State’s stature as a college football program.

Though he said “we only had three channels,” — and no remote — he watched the Penn State highlight show on Sunday mornings “with Coach Paterno’s brother (George) … you know, when they’d say, ‘due to time constraints, we move to further action.”’

He climbed the coaching ladder, first at Cornell (his alma mater), then at Ole Miss, Duke, Oklahoma State and finally as a national champion DC coordinating Ohio State’s defense over the last three years.

Now he feels he’s come full circle in returning to his home state.

“It’s surreal,” Knowles told a crowded media room at the Pegula Ice Arena. “You work your whole career to get to this point.”

Ohio State won the College Football Playoff last month in part because of how its defense played when it mattered most. It rebuffed Penn State at the goal line at Beaver Stadium in November and did the same to Texas in a national semifinal.

Knowles’ mission is to provide the same results in 2025.

Asked what he expects from the Nittany Lions’ unit, he said, “It’s going to be a defense people can rely on.”

He said that will especially be the case “in the red zone, goal line and situations when we’re in position to win big games.”

Though the Lions finished 13-3 last year and got within a couple blown leads against Notre Dame of playing for No. 1, Knowles knows there’s a bridge to cross.

Penn State has not won a national title since 1986, not counting but worth mentioning being outvoted for the big prize in 1994.

“Historically,” Knowles said, “(Penn State’s defense) is one of the best, but there’s still another step we can take and a barrier to cross. I hope I can be part of it to bring the program to that promised land.”

At 59, Knowles said he’s not positioning himself for a head-coaching job, but will focus only to maximize this opportunity.

“I see (PSU) as so close. I think I can help,” Knowles said. “Once you get past being young and thinking you’re going to be the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, you move forward in your career, and you really start thinking about, how can I be of service? Where can I add to a great team and be a part of a great team?

“And, this is the place, because everything here is so close to winning it all. And I’m hopeful I can help get it there.”

Knowles replaces Tom Allen, who left to become Clemson’s DC after a respectable one-year stint in Happy Valley but one in which the defense faltered in the clutch (vs. Oregon and ND).

Though James Franklin comes from an offensive background, Knowles said Franklin has built a positive defensive culture.

“I have tremendous respect for what he’s accomplished here and throughout his career,” Knowles said.

He credited defensive assistants Terry Smith, Anthony Poindexter, Deion Barnes and Dan Connor — all of whom worked under Allen, Manny Diaz and some under Brent Pry, too.

“Despite the fact that there have been different coordinators, the defense has been highly successful and well respected,” Knowles said. “That’s because of those guys (current staff). It’s a very attractive program in the sense of defense, tradition — old-school tradition — combined with the flash that the program is seen (with) nationally.”

He learned along the way to measure and accept input, take responsibility for his own mistakes and “have a thick skin.”

That was gleaned at St. Joseph’s Prep, where he was coached by “cops, firemen and maintenance guys” who loved the game.

“They provided discipline,” he said. “Teachers and coaches were trying to make you better and (you) don’t take it personally.”

Knowles will coach from the press box, though its location is in flux during the Beaver Stadium renovation.

Though he can be animated on the field during practice, gameday requires a clear mind, and he prefers watching from above.

Away from the sideline emotion and chaos, he said, “is the best place to remain calm and think ahead. My job is to think and be composed.”

And be most ready for “further action.”

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.

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