Analyzing Clemson football defensive coordinator candidates to replace Wes Goodwin, who will not return to the position on Dabo Swinney's staff.

The Clemson Tigers recently made a massive change to their coaching staff, moving on from defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin. He was defensive coordinator/linebackers coach for three seasons, but Dabo Swinney wanted to make a change after a disappointing 2024 season on that side of the ball.

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.

Penn State has made a massive splash by hiring Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to take the same job with the Nittany Lions. He replaces Tom Allen, who left PSU to become Clemson’s defensive coordinator. Here are three thoughts on what Penn State hiring Knowles means moving forward.

Ohio State football fans weren’t able to bathe in the afterglow for too long after the glorious national championship victory as defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is officially out the door. What makes this departure even more depressing is the fact that he is heading to State College,

I look forward to working with this tremendous staff and group of student-athletes and am ready to get to work,” Jim Knowles said in a written statement.

Penn State has lured Jim Knowles away from Ohio State. The Nittany Lions hired Knowles on Monday to serve as their defensive coordinator. Knowles held the same position with the national champion Buckeyes for three years.