The news comes as Ohio State was celebrating the team's national championship in Columbus. "Sources: Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is finalizing a three-year deal to become the new defensive coordinator at Penn State," ESPN's Pete Thamel detailed in a Sunday message on X. "It averages $3.1 million over three years."

Timelapse of the Ohio State football team arriving to the Ohio Stadium for the championship celebration. Samantha Madar. Watch Next

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.