Jim Knowles’ move to Penn State didn’t work out for either party. After leaving a national championship roster in 2024, he led the Lions to a 34th-ranked defense nationally. In between, James Franklin was fired. Then Matt Campbell arrived and immediately brought his own defensive coordinator, Jon Heacock. Knowles also found a new gig as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator.

The former Penn State DC signed a three-year deal with Tennessee worth $6.6 million plus bonuses. Knowles is also set to get a buyout from Penn State, which comes out of the roughly $7 million they still owed him on his contract.

What is Jim Knowles’ new contract structure at Tennessee?

With two years still left on his Penn State deal, Tennessee brought Knowles in to replace fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks. With t

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