Jim Knowles (American football)

Jim Knowles is a former head football coach who is currently the defensive coordinator at Duke University. From 2004-2009, he compiled a 26-34 record as head coach at Cornell University.

A 1987 graduate of Cornell, Knowles was a defensive lineman on the Big Red football team. He was elected to Cornell's Sphinx Head Society during his senior year, ultimately graduating with a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations in 1987. Prior to receiving the head coach position, Knowles served as an assistant at Cornell, Western Michigan University and the University of Mississippi.

On December 28, 2009, Knowles was named the defensive coordinator at Duke University under head coach David Cutcliffe. Knowles had previously served as linebackers coach under Cutcliffe while he was head coach at Ole Miss in 2003.