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.

Ohio State placed football assistant Joe Lyberger on leave amid a school investigation, according to a report.

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,

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football put quality control coach Joe Lyberger on paid administrative leave in December. The notice came amid an investigation by the Office of Institutional Equity and other offices, per a letter to Lyberger from human resources, which cleveland.com obtained via a public records request.