first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was named on Monday afternoon as one of 15 semifinalists for the Broyles Award, which is presented annually to the best a sistant in college football.Knowles has turned around a defense that gave up 372.6 yards and 22.8 points per game last season, as the Buckeyes allow just 283.4 yards and 16.9 points this fall, good for ninth and 10th in the country, respectively. Theyve Brodric Thomas Jersey also forced 17 turnovers, including 10 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries.Ohio State returned three of those turnovers for scores, which is tied for eighth-most Russell Westbrook Jersey in the country, including pick-sixes by linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau against Iowa and Penn State, respectively, as well as a fumble recovery by linebacker Steele Chambers against Maryland.Other semifinalists include Florida States Alex Atkins, Georgias Todd Monken, Illinois Ryan Walters, Iowas Phil Parker, LSUs Matt House, Michigans Je se Minter, North Carolinas Phil Longo, Oregons Kenny Dillingham, Penn States Manny Diaz, South Carolinas Pete Lembo, TCUs Garrett Riley, Tenne sees Alex Golesh and Washingtons Ryan Grubb.More News From Sports Illustrated: | | | Knowles is looking to become the third a sistant in school history to win the award, Gerald Green Jersey which is named after longtime Arkansas head coach and athletic director Frank Broyles, joining former defensive coordinator Jim Heacock in 2007 and former offensive coordinator Tom Herman in 2014.Three finalists for this years award will be revealed on Nov. 29, while the winner will be announced during a ceremony in Little Rock, Ark., on Dec. 6. Knowles was a finalist for the award last year for his work at Oklahoma State, though Sterling Brown Jersey it ultimately went to former Michigan and current Miami (Fla.) offensive coordinator Josh Gattis.-----Get your Ohio State football tickets from . Also, be sure to check out our new me sage boards, . We'd love to have you part of the conversation during the season.-----Scroll to ContinueYou may also like: , -----Be sure to stay locked into all the time!Follow Andrew Lind on Twitter: Follow BuckeyesNow on Twitter: Follow BuckeyesNow on Instagram: Houston Rockets Jeresy !