Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is working on a buyout to take the same position at Tennessee, according to multiple reports.

Matt Campbell confirmed in his introductory press conference that his former director of player personnel at Iowa State, Derek Hoodjer, was following him to Penn State to be on his first coaching staff. That move is now official, as Hoodjer’s name has popped up in the Penn State directory. He is the new Nittany Lions general manager.

Eight Big Ten teams have already reached eight wins before bowl season. But it wasn't all smooth sailing, however, as several programs -- Michigan State, Penn State and UCLA -- underperformed enough that coaching changes were unavoidable.

Terry Smith wasn’t hesitant about staying on the Penn State football coaching staff, especially after agreeing to a lucrative four-year contract and learning he’d be working for Matt Campbell. They’ve known each other since 2011 when Campbell was the 32-year-old head coach at Toledo and Smith was the head coach at Gateway High School in Pittsburgh.

Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft apologized on Dec. 8 for leaked audio in which he appeared to criticize other Big Ten programs.

Smith will lead the Nittany Lions in the Pinstripe Bowl vs. Clemson as Campbell works on building a staff and roster.

Much of the attention at Penn State is rightfully on the recent hire of Iowa State’s Matt Campbell as football head coach. But athletic director Pat Kraft just made a huge splash in an Olympic sport.

Jim Knowles' expected departure means Penn State football will be led by its third defensive coordinator in three years in 2026.