Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was asked about rumors connecting him to an opening with Oklahoma football. Here's what he said.

The Buckeyes defensive coordinator is focused on beating Notre Dame for the national championship, but he's long been rumored to be on Brent Venables' wish list.

After replacing Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby as OC, Littrell was fired in October, when Finley was promoted to play-caller on an interim basis, as was Johns to coach the QBs. Finley remains on staff to coach the tight ends, but Johns is now coaching quarterbacks at Oklahoma State.

Speaking at media day ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game on Saturday, Knowles sidestepped the question. Knowles was the third-highest paid assistant in college football in 2024, earning $2.2 million. He remains under contract through 2026. Oklahoma paid Alley $850,000.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles responded Saturday during to the rumors linking him to OU's opening.

Weeks after Zac Alley departed from Oklahoma in favor of West Virginia, the Sooners are rumored to be targeting Ohio State's accomplished defensive coordinator.

Jim Knowles, the best defensive coordinator in college football, would be great at OU. But would sky-high salary be good for Sooners in this NIL era?

Ohio State would not have won the national championship this season without Jim Knowles. Knowles, 59, has been the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator since 2022. This year, he helped the OSU defense become one of the best units in the country,