India, Dec. 11 -- Jim Knowles is negotiating a buyout with Penn State and is expected to join Tennessee in the same role, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported, citing sources. However, nothing has been finalized yet. This comes days after the Volunteers parted ways with former defensive coordinator Tim Banks after five seasons.

As the deal is finalized, it was revealed that the Nittany Lions will owe Knowles over $7 million for the two years left on his contract.

For Knowles, this will be his third different job in as many seasons. His brief stint at Penn State came after he helped guide Ohio State's 2024 national title run, a performance that made him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football when he arrived in State College. ...