James Carnahan[n 1] Knight (November 16, 1875 – March 29, 1969) was an American football player and coach.

At the time of the 1880 United States census, Knight was living with his parents and two older brothers (Louis and Harry) in Ottumwa.

[4] In approximately 1898, Knight accepted a job in Chicago as the Michigan agent for Ginn & Co., a leading publisher of textbooks.

At the time of the 1900 United States census, he was living in Detroit and was employed as an agent for a life insurance company.

[4] In early 1905, Knight resigned from his post at Washington and announced his intentions to assist Art Hillebrand with coaching the Princeton football team.

[11] At the time of the 1910 United States census, Knight was living in South Caldwell, Idaho, where his occupation was listed as a farmer.