Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs gave his reaction on Monday to the departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who left for Penn State.

Ohio State's Jim Knowles is finalizing a 3-year deal with Penn State to become the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, sources told ESPN.

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.

Ohio State fans and dignitaries gathered at Ohio Stadium on Sunday to celebrate the Buckeyes' 2024 national championship run. Ohio State bested Notre Dame 34-23 in the College Football Playoff National Championship last week to win its first crown since 2014 and third since 1970.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off a national championship win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After losing to their bitter rival Michigan Wolverines for the fourth straight season, many counted the Buckeyes out.

Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes are national champions. The Buckeyes topped Notre Dame, 34-23, in the College Football Playoff national title game on Monday in Atlanta, Georgia. Ohio State went 10-2 in the regular season,