Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is one of five finalists for the 2021 Broyles Award, it was announced by the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation.

The Broyles Award was created in 1996 and honors college football's top assistant coach each season.

Knowles, now in his fourth year at Oklahoma State, has put together a résumé for the award that stacks up against any coach in the country.

Under Knowles, the OSU defense has performed at a historic level all season. The Cowboys are among the top five teams in the FBS in sacks (No. 1), tackles for loss (No. 1), third-down defense (No. 1), scoring defense (No. 5), total defense (No. 3), first downs defense (No. 5) and more. They lead the Big 12 in each of those categories and several others.

In his four seasons as the Cowboy defensive coordinator, OSU has progressively improved its defensive numbers each year in points per game, yards per game, first downs per game, yards per play, passing efficiency, passing yards per game, yards per pass, rushing yards per game and yards per rush.

Most of OSU's 2021 averages haven't been seen in Stillwater since the 1980s, and OSU's 93.6 rushing yards per game allowed this season would set a school record if the season ended today.

A 43-member selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters, and a committee representing the FWAA narrowed the list of 59 nominees to 15 semifinalists and now five finalists.

Knowles is one of two semifinalists from the Big 12, joined by Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.

The 2021 Broyles Award Finalists:

Baylor University – Jeff Grimes, Offensive Coordinator / TEs
Oklahoma State – Jim Knowles, Defensive Coordinator
University of Georgia – Dan Lanning, Fain & Billy Slaughter Defensive Coordinator / OLBs
University of Michigan – Josh Gattis, Offensive Coordinator / WRs
Wake Forest – Warren Ruggiero, Offensive Coordinator / QBs