Jeff Knowles

Biography

Jeff Knowles was hired as Ball State's defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach on Jan. 4, 2024. Under the direction of Mike Uremovich, he assumes responsibility for the Cardinals' full linebacking corps. “Jeff’s defenses have been respected at every stop of his career,” said former Ball State coach Mike Neu when Knowles was hired. “We encountered first-hand the great job that he did at NIU. He has a great reputation, especially here in the Midwest, and I am excited to see our defense continue to evolve under his leadership.” Knowles made a return to the Mid-American Conference while joining the Ball State coaching staff. He spent the previous two seasons guiding defensive efforts at Butler where he shaped the Bulldogs into one of the best defenses in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Butler was among FCS leaders in red zone defense and finished in the top 10 in scoring defense and top 25 in total defense. He was tabbed the defensive coordinator at Butler in January of 2022 and was promoted to assistant head coach prior to the 2023 campaign. In his first season at Butler, Knowles called the defense for Butler’s 31-0 shutout victory over Dayton. The result snapped Dayton’s longest scoring streak in Division I football (501 games). It also doubled as the first shutout of Knowles’ collegiate coaching career. Knowles has a pedigree of success that includes stints at St. Francis, NC State, NIU, Temple and Butler. At each of those stops and, since the fifth gra