Report: Illinois Hires Missouri DC after Interviewing Jim Knowles

Jim Knowles will not pull a Brad Underwood and head to Champaign.

Knowles reportedly interviewed for Illinois’ defensive coordinator spot, but Illinois is hiring Missouri’s Ryan Walters, according to Football Scoop.

Knowles just finished his third season in Stillwater, where Oklahoma State’s third-down defense was the best in the nation. The Cowboys’ opponents converted on just 26.5% of their third-down attempts this season.

The Cowboys’ defense also allowed just 379 yards of total offense a game. It was the first time since 2013 where the Cowboys allowed fewer than 400 yards a game. The 23.5 points the Pokes allowed per game are also the fewest OSU has allowed since 2013.

Knowles made $800,000 to coach OSU’s defense in 2020, according to USA Today. That tied him for seventh among Big 12 assistants according to the data.