COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football’s national title defense will come with a new face running the defense. The Buckeyes are losing defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. After three seasons in Columbus, he’s leaving to serve as Penn State’s defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.

Jim Knowles, Ohio State’s national-title winning defensive coordinator, is being targeted by Franklin and the Nittany Lions. But Penn State is far from the only program in the mix.

Ryan Day is once again dealing with the consequences of success in college football after leading Ohio State to a national championship.

Ohio State has made Jim Knowles a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid defensive coordinator.

The speculation has been that Penn State has its eyes set on Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. If that is the big fish Penn State is trying to lure, the delay in naming a new defensive coordinator makes sense as Knowles has been a bit preoccupied up until this week coaching the Ohio State defense on a run to a national championship.

The former Ohio State and Oklahoma State defensive coordinator has reportedly accepted a job at Penn State, according to Griffin Media's Toby Rowland.