CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 7: Head coach David Cutcliffe of the Duke Blue Devils watches a play during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)

Longtime Duke Football defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will leave the Blue Devils for the same position at another institution. Who are the top candidates head coach David Cutcliffe should target to replace him?

Duke Football will lose one of the program’s top assistant coaches next season, with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles leaving to become the DC at Oklahoma State. Knowles excelled leading the Blue Devils’ defense, but who are the top options to replace him next season?

Under head coach David Cutcliffe and Jim Knowles, the Duke defense improved drastically since 2010. Last season, Duke was one of the top defensive teams in the country. Here are the top candidates to keep that momentum going and help the Blue Devils take the next step on the defensive end:

Ben Albert

Ben Albert is a recent addition to the Duke Football coaching staff, but has already made a tremendous impact. He joined in 2016 to take over coaching the defensive line and associate defensive coordinator for Knowles. Defensive line is an area where the Blue Devils have struggled historically. The team had 17 sacks total the year before he arrived, and have since compiled back-to-back seasons with 29 total which is 4th in program history.

Derek Jones

Derek Jones was a grad assistant under Cutcliffe at Ole Miss and has been with him since the beginning at Duke in 2008. He’s currently the Assistant Head Coach and in charge of coaching the cornerbacks. The Blue Devils’ secondary, aka The Coalition, recorded 53 passes defended and 15 interceptions with 4 pick-sixes last season. Jones is also one of the primary recruiters for Duke Football and a key reason the talent on the Blue Devils’ roster continues to improve.

Ellis Johnson

Ellis Johnson served as a defensive assistant and coordinator for numerous top programs. His stops include Alabama, Clemson, South Carolina (under former Duke coach Steve Spurrier), Mississippi State, and Auburn. Currently, he works an analyst for the Gamecocks but may be open to a return to the sideline.

Bob Diaco

Former Nebraska DC Bob Diaco is currently available Scott Frost taking over the program and completely changing the staff. Diaco was the 2012 winner of he Broyles Award for the top assistant coach and consistently led the Cornhuskers to a top Big Ten and NCAA defense.

David Cutcliffe has a huge decision to make for the next defensive coordinator which will greatly impact the future of the program. Look for him to promote a current assistant, rather than look outside for help. Still, coaching changes at programs such as FSU, Florida, Arkansas, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and more have left several talented coordinators and assistants looking for new opportunities.