Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is expected to be named the new DC at Tennessee, according to published reports.

CBS college football writer Matt Zenitz confirmed Wednesday that Knowles, who spent one year on James Franklin’s staff as the highest paid coordinator in the country ($3.1 million per season for three years), would join the Volunteers’ staff.

Tennessee fired Tim Banks on Monday. Banks coached the safeties and was co-defensive coordinator at Penn State from 2016-20.

Knowles came to PSU from Ohio State, where he coached the nation’s best defense.

Under his watch, however, the Nittany Lions’ defense finished eighth in the Big Ten, giving up an average of 21.4 points (Ohio State was No. 1 at 8.1).

It was unclear whether Knowles would be retained by new PSU coach Matt Campbell, who reportedly is bringing his defensive coordinator from Iowa State, Jon Heacock, to the Penn State staff.

In other coaching staff developments, Pete Thamel of ESPN is reporting that Penn State quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien will become the new QBs coach at Virginia Tech. O’Brien becomes the second Lion assistant to join the Va. Tech staff, following tight ends coach Ty Howle.