Overview
- Knowles joins the Volunteers on a three-year contract averaging $2.2 million annually, Tennessee announced Thursday.
- Penn State did not retain Knowles under new head coach Matt Campbell, and he is expected to receive a buyout with about $7 million remaining on his deal, per ESPN.
- Josh Heupel dismissed Tim Banks earlier in the week after the unit fell to 92nd in scoring defense and 116th in pass defense in 2025.
- Knowles coordinated Ohio State’s 2024 national championship defense, which led the nation in scoring and total defense.
- Tennessee cited Knowles’ track record and in-game adaptability as reasons for the hire, with the Vols set to face Illinois in the Dec. 30 Music City Bowl.