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Oklahoma State football: The top 5 contenders to target Jim Knowles

By John Scimeca

AMES, IA - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Brock Purdy #15 of the Iowa State Cyclones scrambles under pressure from defensive tackle Israel Antwine #95 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones Womacks 24-21 over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Brock Purdy #15 of the Iowa State Cyclones scrambles under pressure from defensive tackle Israel Antwine #95 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones Womacks 24-21 over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /
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5. Ole Miss

Obviously, the only route for the Rebels’ interest in Knowles makes sense is if current head coach Lane Kiffin leaves town for Baton Rouge. LSU might not get its first candidate of choice — if that was actually Michigan State’s Mel Tucker — so it’s not out of the blue to see Kiffin take over for soon-to-depart Ed Orgeron.

Kiffin is in only his second year in charge at Ole Miss, making it difficult to see him leaving so quickly. The Rebels are currently enjoying their best season since 2015, when they beat Oklahoma State 48-20 in the Sugar Bowl.

Knowles served as a linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator for Ole Miss in 2003, where he helped the Rebels put together the country’s 14th-best rushing defense.

4. Akron

Akron just dismissed its third-year head coach Tom Arth after some pretty disappointing results, including a 3-24 record overall. The Zips have struggled on both sides of the field and have the nation’s No. 116-ranked defense in 2021.

Knowles would have his work cut out for him for this Ohio-based MAC program, but it’s a team that could use his experience on the defensive side of the ball. Akron is also not terribly from upstate New York, where Knowles spent time as a player and coach at Cornell.

3. Texas State

Head coach Jake Spavital has put together an 8-24 record through three seasons in San Marcos, which can’t be sitting well with a program that has to compete with a host of other Texas-based schools.

If the Bobcats decide to part ways with Spavital, who is a former OSU assistant and Tulsa native, Jim Knowles might be an enticing option as someone who recruits Texas and has a bevy of experience coaching high-ranking defenses.

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