Knowles has succeeded at the highest level and completely remodeled an Ohio State defense that just won the national championship. But a long history of good defense at Penn State means his next steps won't be so clear-cut.

In a new interview, Penn State's defensive coordinator says he's going to build the No. 1 defense with the Nittany Lions.

Penn State made the hiring of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles official on Monday. Here's what each had to say about the move

Jim Knowles’ first press conference as Penn State’s defensive coordinator is in the books, PSU fans. It was a very, very interesting half hour or so with Knowles on Tuesday. James Franklin paid big money to bring Ohio State’s former DC to State College. Expectations for the Lions’ 2025 team, and especially its defense, could not be higher.

The new Nittany Lions defensive coordinator spoke about his goals during the introductory press conference on Tuesday

Naturally, there were questions about why new Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles did that when he left Ohio State to join the Nittany Lions in January. Tuesday afternoon at his introductory press conference in Pegula Ice Arena,