Oklahoma State Football

Illinois and Bielema Hire Walters as DC, Knowles Still A Cowboy

Oklahoma State fans can breathe easier as reports have Ryan Walter being hired as the new defensive coordinator at Illinois.
By Robert Allen
January 6, 2021
9.2k Views
17 Comments
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Photo by Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

STILLWATER – Missouri defensive coordinator Ryan Walters has been tabbed by Bielema as the Illini’s next defensive coordinator according to a report by Football Scoop.  Last week, Bielema hired then-Appalachian State offensive coordinator Tony Petersen to run the Illinois offense. He interviewed three candidates for the defensive coordinator job at Illinois and that included the Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

Knowles had a tremendous season this year, his third at Oklahoma State as the Cowboys defense was No. 1 in the nation in third down percentage defense and only allowed 23.6 points a game. 

Knowles made $800,000 salary this season in his third year as the Oklahoma State defensive coordinator. Knowles reportedly has a year left on his contract and based on performance you would think would be up for an extension and/or new contract and a raise. Defensive coordinator salaries as escalating all over the country. Ryan Walters, who had been at Missouri was making $900,000 and likely will make close to or over a million dollars at Illinois.

Knowles interviewed over the weekend with Bielema and Illinois. He had no previous experience with Bret Bielema but appreciated talking to a fellow defensive coach. Knowles also wasn’t doing anything behind anybody’s back. He informed head coach Mike Gundy and athletic director Mike Holder he had been contacted by Illinois. 

Oklahoma State Athletics
Defense was stingy this season under Knowles. 

Chances are he will be contacted for other openings based on the improvement and performance of the defense at Oklahoma State under his direction.

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Illinois and Bielema Hire Walters as DC, Knowles Still A Cowboy

8,412 Views | 17 Replies | Last: 4 yr ago by Zach Lancaster
Bovine Lad
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12:17p, 1/6/21

Quote:
Oklahoma State fans can breathe easier
LOL!
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Bovine Lad
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1:39p, 1/6/21
When you sell information it's wise to champion the cause of the information providers.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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2:03p, 1/6/21
That is great news.

He's the best that we've had in 30 years (well, maybe back to Ryan)
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Bovine Lad
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 2:21p, 1/6/21
CaliforniaCowboy said:
That is great news.

He's the best that we've had in 30 years (well, maybe back to Ryan)
Almost as great news as when Hubbard said that he was coming back for this past season?
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Bovine Lad
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In reply to Bovine Lad • 2:24p, 1/6/21
Bovine Lad said:
When you sell information it's wise to champion the cause of the information providers.
Which begs the question of whether or not that information was those providers to barter for services rendered or if it was the property of the University that pays their salaries?
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to Bovine Lad • 2:50p, 1/6/21
Bovine Lad said:
CaliforniaCowboy said:
That is great news.

He's the best that we've had in 30 years (well, maybe back to Ryan)
Almost as great news as when Hubbard said that he was coming back for this past season?
are you just trying to pick a fight? I said then, and I'll say it again, I didn't give two hoots whether Hubbard returned or not.
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TUSKAPOKE
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3:27p, 1/6/21
Good news.....OSU athletic leadership needs to get their act together. I want to thank all the coaches and players for playing during a very difficult year. Did not turn out the way we wanted but they ended on a high note and we still have "wait until next year!".......GO POKES!!!!
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Joe Khatib
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3:55p, 1/6/21
I agree with Cali, he is the best in the last thirty years but Rob Ryan is a close second in my opinion. I view him in the class of Paul Jette who was Pats Defensive Coordinator in 84 & 85 with those ferocious Leslie O Neal led defenses who then moved on to Texas in the late eighties but got caught up in cheating allegations regarding recruiting practices.
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Bovine Lad
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In reply to Joe Khatib • 4:47p, 1/6/21
Joe Khatib said:
I agree with Cali, he is the best in the last thirty years but Rob Ryan is a close second in my opinion. I view him in the class of Paul Jette who was Pats Defensive Coordinator in 84 & 85 with those ferocious Leslie O Neal led defenses who then moved on to Texas in the late eighties but got caught up in cheating allegations regarding recruiting practices.
With him being one greatest Defensive minds in the history of the game isn't it a bit surprising that not only was lowly Illinois his only offer but that they rejected him?

With him being so great and all, isn't it likewise surprising that Dabo Swinney doesn't fire Brent Venables so he can hire Knowles to replace him at Clemson or perhaps Nick Saban might be interested in an upgrade at DC at 'Bama?
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Bovine Lad
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In reply to TUSKAPOKE • 4:48p, 1/6/21
TUSKAPOKE said:
Good news.....OSU athletic leadership needs to get their act together. I want to thank all the coaches and players for playing during a very difficult year. Did not turn out the way we wanted but they ended on a high note and we still have "wait until next year!".......GO POKES!!!!
Good post!

This is as good as it gets for us and we shouldn't expect any more than we got a generous dose of this season.
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Bovine Lad
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 4:54p, 1/6/21
CaliforniaCowboy said:
Bovine Lad said:
CaliforniaCowboy said:
That is great news.

He's the best that we've had in 30 years (well, maybe back to Ryan)
Almost as great news as when Hubbard said that he was coming back for this past season?
are you just trying to pick a fight? I said then, and I'll say it again, I didn't give two hoots whether Hubbard returned or not.
Sorry, Cal!

The last thing that I want to do is to "pick a fight" on the very day that the 2nd Civil War started.
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TUSKAPOKE
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4:55p, 1/6/21
Knowles has done a good job with the talent we have recruited. Better than before for many years. As good as we want? No. Who would do better? Anyone with any positive thoughts?
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Orangeheart72
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7:51p, 1/6/21
Glad he's staying. I like this staff as is.....at least until they have a more normal year to show up without as much Covid impact and offensive line injuries hopefully.
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Bovine Lad
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In reply to TUSKAPOKE • 10:56a, 1/7/21
TUSKAPOKE said:
Knowles has done a good job with the talent we have recruited. Better than before for many years. As good as we want? No. Who would do better? Anyone with any positive thoughts?
Here's a positive thought: winning championships begins with believing that you can win championships and not being complacent with being 2nd fiddle.
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TUSKAPOKE
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In reply to Bovine Lad • 5:06p, 1/7/21
Bovine Lad said:
TUSKAPOKE said:
Knowles has done a good job with the talent we have recruited. Better than before for many years. As good as we want? No. Who would do better? Anyone with any positive thoughts?
Here's a positive thought: winning championships begins with believing that you can win championships and not being complacent with being 2nd fiddle.
Agreed....Starts at the top and has to include better recruiting.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to Joe Khatib • 8:16a, 1/8/21
Joe Khatib said:
I don't know who supplies Bovine Lad with his heroin supply but it must be some powerful stuff.
enough with the personal attacks already
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Zach Lancaster
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9:47a, 1/8/21
There will be no personal attacks on users. If you have an issue with something they have posted, then flag it or take a screenshot of the post and DM it to either myself or Marshall. If anyone sees someone attacking another user, flag it or send me a screenshot of the post and we'll get it handled. There can be discussions, even heated discussions because everyone wants the same thing: the Pokes to be successful. But let's keep it civil and fun.
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