Knowles to receive at least $600k in his first year with Cowboys

New Oklahoma State defensive coordinator

Jim Knowles is on a threeyear deal, according to a contract obtained by The Oklahoman on Tuesday.

Knowles, the former defensive coordinator at Duke, replaced Glenn Spencer as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator in January. Knowles, 52, is set to earn a base salary of $200,000, with the talent and personal services portion of the contract giving Knowles $400,000 in his first two seasons (for a total of $600,000) and $600,000 in the third season of his deal (for a total of $800,000). Spencer received $675,000 in 2017, according to USA Today.

Knowles’ contract, which became effective Jan. 29, also states that OSU would pay Duke up to $580,000 within 30 days, or by Feb. 28, as part of terminating his contract with the Blue Devils.

"I think he's doing good," OSU coach Mike Gundy said of Knowles after the Cowboys' first spring practice Tuesday, according to a release. "He's getting to know our players and obviously our coaching staff. It's going to take him some time. When you come in and you haven't been around the Big 12 and/or even our team — it will take a little time to adjust and get to know everybody, but I think he's going to be a great fit."

Knowles is also set to receive bonuses based on the Cowboys’ performance. He will be due $10,000 if OSU wins a Big 12 title and $5,000 if the Cowboys finish the regular season with the conference’s best record. Knowles will also earn a bonus based on OSU’s end-of-the-season rankings in the CNN and USA Today top 25 polls, earning $5,000 if OSU is in the top 10, $3,000 if it is ranked 11th to 15th and $2,000 if it is ranked 16th or higher.

Weeden expected to sign with Texans

Former Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden is expected to sign with the Houston Texans, according to a report from the Houston Chronicle. Weeden joined the Texans in the middle of the 2015 season and remained with them in 2016, playing in two games and starting one in that time. He was with the Tennessee Titans last season.

This will be Weeden's seventh year in the NFL. He played two with the Cleveland Browns, then most of two with the Dallas Cowboys. He split the 2015 season between the Cowboys and Texans.