Tennessee Officially Hires Jim Knowles to Revamp Struggling Defensive Unit

Heupel turns to former foe to lead Tennessee defense

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has hired Jim Knowles as the Volunteers’ new defensive coordinator.

Tennessee officially hires Jim Knowles to revamp struggling defensive unit

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Jim Knowles was officially named Tennessee football's new defensive coordinator on Thursday. The 38-year coaching veteran signed a three-year contract and will be tasked with improving a Volunteers defensive unit that struggled immensely in 2025. The contract will pay Knowles $2 million in 2026 and includes a scaling structure that will [...]

Tennessee selects Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles for Rocky Top contract

Current Penn State and former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has agreed to a contract to take the same job at Tennessee. Vols head coach Josh Heupel said Knowles was at the top of his list for the next Big Orange defense and saw his handy work one year ago during Tennessee’s 42-17 loss to the Buckeyes. Knowles has 38 years of coaching experience including 18 as a defensive coordinator and worked under VFL David Cutcliff while at Du…

Former Penn State DC Jim Knowles Signed by Tennessee

Jim Knowles has rebounded quickly. Just one day after it was first reported Penn State wouldn't be retaining Knowles as defensive coordinator under new head coach Matt Campbell, Tennessee announced it is hiring him on a three-year deal. Knowles is set to make $2 million in 2026, $2.2 million in 2027 and $2.4 million in 2028, a decrease from his contract with the Nittany Lions which made him the highest paid coordinator in college football histor…

Jim Knowles Named Tennessee Football Defensive Coordinator

Jim Knowles, a championship-winning assistant coach and one of the most esteemed defensive minds in football, has been named Tennessee defensive coordinator, head coach Josh Heupel announced Thursday.