Tennessee coach Josh Heupel hires Jim Knowles as new defensive coordinator

Updated Dec. 11, 2025 3:24 p.m. ET

Associated Press

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has hired Jim Knowles as the Volunteers’ new defensive coordinator.

Heupel moved quickly after firing coordinator Tim Banks on Monday, and the Volunteers coach said Thursday that hiring Knowles was a priority from the start.

“Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff,” Heupel said of the Vols' first-round loss to Ohio State a year ago.

Knowles has coached 38 years in college football with 18 as a defensive coordinator. He spent this season at Penn State and was at Ohio State between 2022 and 2024, helping the Buckeyes win the 2024 national championship.

“I am excited for this opportunity to work with Coach Heupel and represent Vol Nation,” Knowles said.

During his time at Ohio State, the Buckeyes allowed only 14.9 points and 278.7 yards per game over a three-year span with Knowles. Ohio State went 36-6, and Knowles coached 11 NFL draft picks.

Heupel said Knowles' defenses are always physical, prepared and adapt during games against today's offenses.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jim to Rocky Top as he helps us chase championships,” Heupel said.

Before Ohio State, Knowles was at Oklahoma State from 2018-21, Duke from 2011-17, and Western Michigan between 1997 and 2002. He was head coach at Cornell, his alma mater, from 2004-09.

Tennessee (8-4) plays Illinois on Dec. 30 in the Music City Bowl in Nashville. ___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football