Paul Finebaum calls Jim Knowles hire a 'big break' for Josh Heupel, Tennessee

Paul Finebaum is starting to turn on Josh Heupel as an elite head coach for Tennessee. Based on the way the last couple of seasons ended for the Vols, Finebaum pointed towards Heupel needing a big break.

That big break could be in the form of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. The former Ohio State and Penn State DC is expected to be brought onto Heupel’s staff at Tennessee. It’ll be his third stop in three seasons.

But after missing out on the College Football Playoff this season, one year after making the first round, Finebaum said Heupel needs something big for 2026. Maybe this is the beginning of something cooking for next fall.

“We’ve had some conversations about Josh Heupel and I’ve stood up for Josh Heupel and talked about how great he was,” Finebaum said on his show Wednesday. “I don’t think I can say that anymore. I think Josh Heupel is slipping toward average. Getting Jim Knowles in there, I think, is a big break for him. He needed to shore up the defense, although that’s really what held him up last year. The problem has also been — it’s been a myriad of things. The last few years have been painfully disappointing and I thought the way the season ended with those home losses to Oklahoma and Vanderbilt were pretty atrocious.”

Vanderbilt was ranked No. 19 in the country at 8-3 during the final week of the season. But, they fell 45-24 to Vanderbilt at home. Not to mention when they were ranked No. 14 on November 1st and lost to No. 18 Oklahoma at home as well.

It wasn’t quite the follow up to the CFP performance. Heupel is 45-19 at Tennessee since 2021 following a 28-8 stint at UCF in three seasons.

It was an interesting saga regarding Knowles over the last two. He was a big difference maker for the Buckeyes last season, coaching up the defense to a national title. But he spoke back in May about “awkward” moments that led him to State College. Knowles was eventually replaced by Matt Patricia, who had continued success with Ohio State’s defense in 2025.

Knowles revealed to ESPN that the reason for his quick departure came due to the timing of a contract extension offer from Ohio State. He wanted to get a deal done prior to the national championship and said he “would not have explored or considered other options” if the Buckeyes had offered him one.

But the offer never came and Knowles said it created an “awkward” situation for him. He did what he thought was best for himself, making the call to James Franklin.

But he will not be retained by Matt Campbell at Penn State, leading to Knoxville. Perhaps this is the boost Heupel needs at Tennessee going into a new year.