James Franklin Breaks Silence: Did Penn State Just Weaponize Jim Knowles to Wound Ohio State from Within?
In a twist that feels more like a blockbuster plot than a coaching transaction, Penn State’s head coach James Franklin has come forward to address the swirling controversy surrounding his high-profile hiring of Jim Knowles, Ohio State’s former defensive coordinator—and let’s just say, the college football world isn’t buying the “no hard feelings” narrative.
It all started with a 5:06 a.m. phone call on January 22nd. Knowles, fresh off helping Ryan Day and the Buckeyes claim a national championship, found himself fielding a call from none other than Happy Valley. Franklin wasn’t just knocking on the door—he was ready to rip it off the hinges. Within days, the $9 million man was suiting up in navy and white. And just like that, the drama began.
Was it sabotage? Was it strategy? Was it both?
For Ohio State fans, the move felt like betrayal—coated in conspiracy. A poetic kind of payback from Penn State, who’ve repeatedly come up short against their Big Ten juggernaut rivals. But for Franklin? This was nothing personal. Or so he says.
Speaking to NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach, Franklin attempted to cool the firestorm. “I’m just focused on trying to get the best people we can in our football building,” he insisted. “There are people who are going to spin that part of the story. I get it. But that was not the reason. It just came down to one of the best defensive coordinators in college football being available—and we made a run at him.”
Sounds noble. But not everyone’s convinced.
After an impressive 11-1 regular season, Penn State’s hopes derailed with a loss to Oregon in the Big Ten title game and a gut-punch 27–24 semifinal defeat against Notre Dame. The culprit? Many pointed fingers at the defense—ironically, the same defense that statistically ranked among the nation’s best. But Franklin wasn’t having it. To him, something was still missing. And that “something” came with a championship ring and a bulletproof résumé.
But securing Knowles wasn’t a walk in the park. Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and even Ohio State were in the chase. Franklin admitted the challenge, saying, “It made it more difficult than I would’ve liked. But at the end of the day, I’m really glad he’s part of our family and in our building.”
The $9 million question remains: Was this simply about upgrading talent—or was it a tactical Big Ten chess move designed to gut Ohio State’s brain trust from the inside?
What’s more intriguing is that this isn’t Penn State’s only power play. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, known for his innovative work with Kansas and now helping mold Drew Allar into a star, rounds out a staff that looks far more lethal than in years past. Yet the most underrated factor of all?
Penn State’s secret weapon: the underdog.
In a college football landscape defined by NIL millions and super-conferences, Penn State is building something subtler—but no less deadly. They’ve embraced a blueprint of relentless culture-building, bold hiring, and now, poaching elite minds from the very rivals that overshadow them.
Franklin’s not chasing headlines—he’s crafting a revolution. With Jim Knowles on defense and Kotelnicki on offense, the Nittany Lions are no longer content being “just competitive.” They’re after crowns, dynasties, and maybe, just maybe, a bit of revenge.
So was it sabotage or strategy?
Depends on who you ask—but one thing’s clear: Penn State isn’t playing nice anymore.
