Earlier this month, Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles interviewed with the Duke Blue Devils for their head coach job opening. But that doesn’t mean he’s necessarily itching to leave Ohio State.
During a press conference this week, Jim Knowles made it clear that even though he did interview for the Duke job, it would be difficult for him to decide to leave Ohio State.
“I’ve really worked my whole career to get to a place where you’re expected to win all the time, where you’re given the resources, where you have a shot to play for the national championship every year,” Knowles said according to Eleven Warriors. “So any of those opportunities, while you’re always grateful, I try to look at it from ‘This is where I always worked to be.’ And you have to judge that against the benefits of being a head coach vs. being at a place that’s top-five, premier all the time with high expectations and talent.
“From where I started to get here, I don’t take that lightly. That’s not something you leave easily for any job, head coach or not. I mean, I see myself as being at the best place right now. So I have to always look at that and say ‘Why would I want to go anywhere else?’ Ohio State is the top of the top.
“When you’re a young coach and you aspire, yes, you aspire to be a head coach and all that, and I’ve done that. But once you get to a place where winning is expected, where it’s a purpose-driven program with a great head coach and a chance to run the defense, I mean, I couldn’t imagine anything better when I was a young coach. So you look at all those things, and all those opportunities, but I really appreciate where I’m at.”
Since taking over as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, he has drastically improved the team’s defense. This season, they ranked No. 3 nationally in total defense and No. 2 in scoring defense, allowing just 11 points per game.
