6:00 PM
Ryan Day, the head coach of the Ohio State team, announced on Tuesday that the team had hired Jim Knowles as their defensive coach.
Oklahoma State's defense ranked 3rd in total yards per game, under the direction of Knowles. A finalist for the Broyles Award, which annually goes to college football's top assistant coach, Knowles had an excellent defensive unit this season, ranking first in sacks (54), fourth in yards allowed per play, fifth in rush yards allowed per game and 10th in pass yards allowed per game
Ohio State made the hire official on Tuesday, but it won't be until after the Rose Bowl game presented by Capital One, on January 2nd, according to Day.
The most important thing at this time is that we put our players in the best position to win the Rose Bowl. The current staff of 10 assistant coaches will continue to plan and prepare for the game.
After the team's loss to Oregon, Day relieved Kerry Coombs of his play-calling duties. Barnes took over play-calling for the rest of the season.
Ohio State finished the season allowing 366.6 yards per game, which is 52nd in the nation. The Ohio State defense gave up 119.7 rush yards per game and 246.9 pass yards per game.
Day hasn't said where the spot will come from, but it will be necessary to let one assistant coach go to keep Ohio State under the allowed limit.
