COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — One of the coaches that helped lead Ohio State to its 2024 national championship is heading to a Big Ten rival.

Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is set to take the same position at Penn State, the Nittany Lions announced Monday. The 59-year-old from Philadelphia is reportedly set to sign a three-year deal worth over $3 million, making him one of the highest paid coordinators in college football.

The national title winning coordinator will return to Columbus on Nov. 1 when the Nittany Lions take on the Buckeyes. Penn State has lost eight straight games to Ohio State.

Head coach Ryan Day thanked Knowles and the rest of the coaching staff during Sunday’s national championship celebration at Ohio Stadium. Knowles was hired as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator in 2021 after serving in that role at Oklahoma State for four seasons. This will be the fifth different school Knowles will be the DC for.

Under Knowles, the Buckeyes’ defense went through huge improvements that culminated in the team’s national championship this past season in the first 12-team playoff. In 2024, the team boasted the top-scoring defense in the country and multiple upperclassmen are expected to be selected in the NFL Draft this spring, including Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, and Tyleik Williams.

Ohio State will begin its road towards back-to-back championships on Aug. 30 when they host Texas in a rematch of the Cotton Bowl.