Jim Knowles is one of the best assistants in college football.
On Tuesday, The National College Football Awards Association named the Ohio State defensive coordinator one of 57 nominees for the Broyles Award, an honor presented to the top assistant coach in college football.
We are proud to announce the 2023 Broyles Award nominees! Congratulations to our 57 nominees - you are part of an elite group of assistant coaches. We look forward to revealing this year's semi-finalists and finalists and the winner at the Award Ceremony on December 5th. pic.twitter.com/JoDaKVnUpH
— The Broyles Award (@BroylesAward) November 14, 2023
Two seasons ago, when Knowles was still defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, he was one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, along with Jeff Grimes (Baylor), Dan Lanning (Georgia; now head coach at Oregon), Josh Gattis (Michigan; now offensive coordinator at Maryland) and Warren Ruggiero (Wake Forest). Last season, in his first year at Ohio State, Knowles was named one of 26 nominees for the accolade.
In 2023, Ohio State's defense ranks fourth and second in the FBS at 262.2 yards and 9.9 points allowed per game. Moreover, the Buckeyes rank second in pass defense (149.8 YPG) and 21st in run defense (112.4 YPG) amid the team's 10-0 start to the season.
Knowles' efforts, in addition to the continued work of defensive line coach Larry Johnson, safeties coach Perry Eliano and secondary coach Tim Walton, have transformed the level of play for several players on Ohio State's defense, including midseason All-Americans Tyleik Williams, Denzel Burke and Tommy Eichenberg, among others.
The 2023 Broyles Award will be presented on Dec. 5 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Finalists for the award will attend a luncheon and make speeches before a winner is announced at the end of the event.
