COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football’s national title defense will come with a new face running the defense. The Buckeyes are losing defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. After three seasons in Columbus, he’s leaving to serve as Penn State’s defensive coordinator.

Penn State has been on the lookout for a new defensive coordinator for the past two weeks. That is how long ago Tom Allen decided to leave Penn State after one year to become the defensive coordinator at Clemson. So what exactly has been taking Penn State so long to name his replacement on James Franklin’s staff?

Penn State formally hired Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to the same position Monday morning. Knowles replaces Tom Allen, who left after one year to become the defensive coordinator at Clemson.