Jim Knowles made college football history over the weekend, becoming the highest paid defensive coordinator ever when he jumped from Ohio State to Penn State for a salary that will reportedly top $3 million per year.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left the Buckeyes program in a surprising turn of events, accepting the same job with the Penn State Nittany Lions

The Irish, fresh off losing a national title game to the Buckeyes, reportedly hired defensive coordinator Chris Ash on Wednesday. The deal is expected to be finalized shortly.

As Ryan Day looks to hire his fourth defensive coordinator in seven seasons, here are potential candidates to replace Jim Knowles.

Should Ohio State lure Hampton away from Eugene, it would be the second year in a row that the Buckeyes took a coach from Oregon. Last year, after running backs coach Tony Olford left Columbus to coach RBs for the Michigan Wolverines, the Buckeyes hired Ducks running backs coach Carlos Locklyn.

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,