Ohio State defensive coordinator search: Candidates, hot board, names to watch by Buckeyes experts​on January 28, 2025 at 2:53 pm

Jim Knowles made college football history over the weekend, becoming the highest paid defensive coordinator ever when he jumped from Ohio State to Penn State for a salary that will reportedly top $3 million per year. Just over a week after winning it all, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day will now lead the Ohio State football defensive coordinator search. The Buckeyes ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense in 2024 and several household names will line up for this opportunity. Who are the top names on the Ohio State football DC hot board, and which candidates are the most realistic? If you want to know the top Ohio State defensive coordinator candidates, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at Bucknuts, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Ohio State.

The Bucknuts insiders are providing on-the-ground updates on every development in the Ohio State football program, including insights from Dave Biddle, Patrick Murphy and Steve Helwagon, who all have deep-rooted ties inside the Ohio State community. Get all the inside scoop on the football program, plus VIP intel on Ohio State football, basketball, recruiting and more. Plus get access to the Bucknuts message boards where you can connect with other Ohio State fans and insiders. 

They already have an Ohio State defensive coordinator hot board up that features 11 names. See them all and get everything else Bucknuts has to offer right here.

And right now, Bucknuts is offering 30% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. 

Ohio State defensive coordinator candidates 

One potential candidate the team at Bucknuts has identified on its Ohio State defensive coordinator hot board: Indiana DC Bryant Haines. While the Buckeyes had the best defense in the nation last year, Haines’ unit at Indiana was right behind them in many key categories. Indiana ranked second nationally in total defense (256.3 yards per game) and sixth in scoring defense (15.6 points per game).

Haines’ units also ranked in the top 25 nationally in scoring defense at James Madison in 2022 and 2023 as he quickly built a strong FBS unit for a program that was transitioning from the FCS level.

He has deep ties with Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, so he might be difficult to pry away, but he also coached at Ohio State in 2013 as a graduate assistant, so there is familiarity with Columbus. See more Ohio State defensive coordinator candidates at Bucknuts. 

How to get insider Ohio State defensive coordinator news  

The Bucknuts team has identified several other candidates, including a shocking current NFL defensive coordinator name. You can see them all at Bucknuts. 

Who are the top candidates in the Ohio State football defensive coordinator coaching search, and which shocking current NFL defensive coordinator could be in the mix? Go to Bucknuts to see its Ohio State defensive coordinator hot board and more, all from a team of Buckeyes insiders, and find out. 

And reminder, Bucknuts is offering 30% off an annual VIP membership, so subscribe now before it’s too late.

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