Here’s a round-up of the latest news pertinent to Ohio State’s defensive coordinator search. Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator — and interim head coach (2022) — Jim Leonhard seems to be staying put in the NFL.
Former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is off to Chicago to lead the Bears. Former defensive Aaron Glenn is now the head coach of the New York Jets. Both will be missed in Detroit, but Campbell and company must move forward with the assistants remaining. That process has already begun.
Aaron Glenn's first staff in New York will include a former NFL head coach. The Jets are finalizing a deal to make former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks their new defensive coordinator, as confirmed by CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones.
Steve Wilks, who ran the Niners' defense in 2023 and was head coach of the Cardinals in 2018, has agreed to become the Jets' defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN.
The Cowboys hire 3 defensive assistants; they’ve also interviewed 2 OC candidates. One of the Triplets may want to coach the team someday.
The Panthers added outside linebackers coach AC Carter on Wednesday and they are set to bring another defensive coach onto Dave Canales's staff as well.
The Pittsburgh Steelers never hide the positions they target in the NFL Draft, and 2025 appears to be no different. Pittsburgh is focusing heavily on the defensive line, and on Wednesday, they huddled in on a new position -- wide receiver.
Knowles, who directed a 2024 Ohio State defense that finished No. 1 in fewest yards allowed per game (254.6) and No. 1 in fewest points allowed (12.9), should have a Nittany Lions defense that returns Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, Tony Rojas, A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley in the top 10 in 2025.
In hiring Jim Knowles, Penn State followed the adage: If you can't beat them, turn them to your side. While everyone in college football is already talking about Penn State's new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, it's possible that not everyone is realizing how much his betrayal of Ohio State benefits his new club.