Ducks Coach Emerges as Leading Candidate for Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Position.

The Ohio State Buckeyes received disappointing news on Sunday afternoon, as it was confirmed that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was departing Columbus to become the new DC for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

This decision impacts the national champion Buckeyes not just due to the departure of their top defensive coordinator, but primarily because he is heading to a rival in the Big Ten Conference, the Nittany Lions.

However, it now seems that Ohio State is attempting to recruit another Big Ten university to take the open defensive coordinator role following Knowles’ departure to Happy Valley.

As reported by On3’s Pete Nakos, Chris Hampton, co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Oregon Ducks, is regarded as a leading candidate to become the new DC in Columbus.

Hampton has spent two seasons in Eugene and created significant interest last offseason from ACC and SEC programs to become the defensive coordinator. He declined both of those positions but is currently creating more excitement from the defending national champions to occupy their new opening.

Oregon’s defense concluded the season positioned No. 15 nationally, permitting 315.9 yards per game, and recorded one of the finest defensive performances in the program’s history.

If Ohio State manages to entice Hampton from Eugene, it will mark the second consecutive year that the Buckeyes acquired a coach from Oregon. Last year, following the departure of running backs coach Tony Olford to coach RBs for the Michigan Wolverines, the Buckeyes hired Carlos Locklyn from the Ducks as their new running backs coach.

Oregon substituted Locklyn with Rashaad Samples, the previous WR coach at Arizona State.

Hampton clearly isn’t the only contender for the position, with individuals such as Iowa Hawkeyes DC Phil Parker, Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams, and Ohio State safeties coach Matt Guerrieri, among others.

As Knowles departs on Sunday, the search for a new coach will extend over several days, and we aim to gather more information as we go through the upcoming week.