Jim Knowles

Oklahoma State

Defensive Coordinator

Conference: Big 12

Coach Stats

Why should this nominee be considered for the Broyles Award?
Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has led the Cowboy defense to improve consistently over the past four years and the unit has now become one of the most dominant in the nation and in the history of the school. His performance on the field speaks for itself as the Cowboys rank among the national leaders in 3rd Down Conversion Defense (No. 2), Total Defense (No. 3), 10-plus Yard Plays Allowed (No. 3), Rushing Defense (No. 4), Team Tackles for Loss (No. 5), First Downs Defense (No. 5), Yards Per Play Allowed (No.6) Scoring Defense (No. 9),Team Sacks (No. 11), Team Passing Efficiency Defense (No. 14) and Defensive TDs (No. 15). The Cowboy defense is also No. 1 in the conference in every one of those categories and more. (Rankings as of November 10) Knowles’ performance off the field is just as deserving, as he is universally loved by the players he coaches for his knowledge of the game, his skill as a play-caller, his coaching style and several aspects of his quirky personality. While Oklahoma State was known for its offense for decades before Jim Knowles arrived, he came to Stillwater with a goal for the Cowboy defenders to make the program known for its defense, and he has succeeded in that goal far beyond what most thought was possible.
Coach's Past Performance
In 2020, OSU led the nation and third down defense and they have taken that momentum into every area in 2021. Here’s how the Cowboys have improved each season under Jim Knowles and how the 2021 numbers compare in school history at the bottom: Year Games Yds/Rush Ru.Yds/Game Yds/Pass Att Pa.Yds/Game Comp Pct Pass Effic Yds/Play Yds/Game 1st Dns/Game Pts/ Game 2018 13 4.62 185.4 7.68 267.1 61.7 143.8 6.04 452.4 23.2 32.46 2019 13 4.3 158.5 7.38 253.9 60.4 134 5.79 412.3 20.9 26.77 2020 11 4.13 160.1 6.73 218.9 57.8 127.6 5.32 379 18.9 23.45 2021 9 2.61 86.2 6.41 190.8 59.3 114.6 4.41 277 15 16.33 Best since: 1981 at least 1940 2013 1999 2020 2013 1984 1984 1981 1985
Team Record and Standings
Oklahoma State is 8-1 on the year and in position to reach the Big 12 Championship game.

OSU is No. 10 in the CFP, AP and Coaches rankings.

ESPN give OSU an 80% chance to reach the College Football Playoff if the Cowboys win out.

Team/Unit Stats
Notes:OSU’ defense has held its opponent to three points in each of the past two games, marking the first time OSU has held its opponent to three or fewer points since 1934.OSU and Georgia are the only two teams in the FBS who have held two straight teams to three points or less this season, and it marks just the sixth time in the history of the Big 12 and the first time since 2004 that its team has held two straight conference foes to three or fewer points.The 133 total yards allowed vs. WVU and the 143 yards allowed vs. KU make OSU the only school in the FBS who has held opponents under 150 yards in consecutive games this season. The WVU total marked the lowest for an OSU opponent since 1999.OSU held WVU to 2.3 yards of offense per play, it was the Cowboys’ best performance against an FBS school since at least 2000.OSU’s defense has faced nine sudden change situations this season and held the opponent scoreless on the ensuing drive in eight of the nine. OSU has held opponents under 100 offensive yards in 9 of 18 halves this season.Season Stats and Rankings: Category Value Big 12 Rank FBS Rank 3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense 25.60% 1 2 Punt Return Defense 0.64 1 2 Total Defense 277 1 3 10+ Yard Plays Allowed 79 1 3 Rushing Defense 86.2 1 4 Team Tackles for Loss 7.3 1 5 First Downs Defense 135 1 5 Yard Per Play Allowed 4.41 1 6 Scoring Defense 16.3 1 9 Team Sacks 3.33 1 11 Team Passing Efficiency Defense 114.56 1 14 Defensive TDs 2 1 15 Blocked Kicks 2 3 20 Passing Yards Allowed 190.8 2 22 4th Down Conversion Pct Defense 38.90% 1 25
Individual Player Stats
Senior linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez has been the leader of the Cowboy defense for the past two seasons and was a vital part of it before that. He is a Butkus Award semifinalist and the Big 12 leader with 9.7 tackles per game. (No. 12 in the FBS).Additionally, Rodriguez ranks No. 4 among all active FBS players with 226 career tackles and No. 1 in the FBS with 36 career six-tackle games since the beginning of the 2018 season.LB – Malcolm Rodriguez Butkus Award semifinalist 2021 Big 12 leader in tackles Leading player on a defensive unit that ranks among the FBS leaders in in 3rd Down Conversion Defense (No. 2), Total Defense (No. 3), 10-plus Yard Plays Allowed (No. 3), Rushing Defense (No. 4), Team Tackles for Loss (No. 5), First Downs Defense (No. 5), Yards Per Play Allowed (No. 6) and Scoring Defense (No. 9).No. 4 among all active FBS players with 226 career solo stops. No. 5 among all active FBS players with 366 total tackles. His four 10-tackle games this year are No. 5 in the nation.No. 10 among all active FBS players with two defensive touchdowns. He has recorded at least five tackles in 17 straight games. Has recorded 36 games with at least 6 tackles since 2018, the most in the nation. Led all Power Five linebackers in solo tackles in 2020. OSU’s leading tackler in three straight seasons. S – Kolby Harvell-Peel. 2021 Big 12 leader in interceptions. No. 4 among all active FBS players with 10 career interceptions No. 11 among all active FBS players with 32 passes defended. Leading DB on a defensive unit that ranks among the FBS leaders in in 3rd Down Conversion Defense (No. 2), Total Defense (No. 3), 10-plus Yard Plays Allowed (No. 3), Rushing Defense (No. 4), Team Tackles for Loss (No. 5), First Downs Defense (No. 5), Yards Per Play Allowed (No. 6) and Scoring Defense (No. 9).