Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left the Buckeyes program in a surprising turn of events, accepting the same job with the Penn State Nittany Lions

With Jim Knowles leaving Ohio State for Penn State, Oregon co-DC Chris Hampton is a candidate to replace him in Columbus.

Fresh off a national title, the Buckeyes will be looking for a new defensive coordinator. Jim Knowles has left for conference rival Penn State and Ryan Day has his first hurdle of the offseason to deal with.

An Ohio State football support staffer was placed on administrative leave in December after becoming the subject of an unidentified university investigation, according to multiple reports. Quality control coach Joe Lyberger,

Ohio State football quality control coach Joe Lyberger has been on paid administrative leave since December while the school's Office of Institutional Equity conducts an investigation. OSU has declined to comment.