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Penn State Poaches Ohio State's Winning Formula for 2024 Season
24 Jul
Summary
- Penn State retains key underclassmen for 2024 season
- Hired top-paid defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Ohio State
- Seeking to end James Franklin's 1-15 record against top-5 teams

As the 2024 college football season approaches, Penn State is looking to emulate the formula that brought Ohio State success the previous year. Like the Buckeyes, the Nittany Lions have been able to retain most of their key underclassmen who were eligible for the NFL draft.
Penn State's head coach, James Franklin, believes this is the best combined personnel he has had in his 11 years at the helm. To bolster their chances, the Nittany Lions have made a significant move by hiring Jim Knowles as their new defensive coordinator, making him the highest-paid in college football history at $3.1 million per year.
Franklin is confident that with Knowles' expertise and the team's talented roster, Penn State finally has what it takes to overcome their struggles against top-5 opponents. The Nittany Lions are the preseason favorites to win the Big Ten, a feat they have yet to achieve under Franklin's leadership, who has a 1-15 record against the conference's elite teams.
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The addition of Knowles and the team's depth at key positions have raised expectations for Penn State, who are eager to change the narrative and prove they can compete for both Big Ten and national titles in the upcoming season.