The goal of Jim Knowles was to get to build a #1 defense. He accomplish that and won the Natty. Maybe the building part is his thing? How that he accomplished that goal it could be a case where he wants to go somewhere else and do it again? There is a different feel to maintaining the standard vs working to set/get to a standard. 

With that said, I do not wish him the best at PSU. I hope his defense is terrible and is the worst in the country. 

Mod:  Closing.  Feel free to add this comment to one of the multiple Knowles articles / threads.