Penn State Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Settling In Quickly With The Nittany Lions

It didn't take long for Jim Knowles to confirm what he believed was true when Penn State hired him to be defensive coordinator just three months ago.

Then, Knowles was fresh off coaching Ohio State's defense to a national championship win not long after the Nittany Lions failed to advance to that game, losing in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Philadelphia native thought Penn State had all the pieces to do one game better. He thought he could help.

Now that he's had a chance to go hands-on during 15 spring practices, he doesn't hesitate when asked if this team, specifically a defense that needs to replace star linebacker Abdul Carter , can win a national championship.

"Yes," Knowles said. "Next question."

How much will be different, and how much needs to be for a squad that ranked near the top of every major defensive category and helped dictate playoff games last season?