No, a rusted flywheel will not cause the engine not to turn over.
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sounds like the ring gear or flywheel is worn if you have a manual or stick shift put it in 2nd gear depress clutch let car roll a little release clutch (the engine will turn slightly) then try starting engine. with auto transmission you will have to turn engine over with socket and ratchet bar (if you cant turn over at the drive belt by hand) if this starts your car the flywheel will need replacing... Could also be the bendix ... the solenoid that engages the starter motor to the flywheel.
With the flywheel spinning at about 1,000 RPM at idle, the starter, if engaged with the flywheel, would be forced to spin between 15,000 and 20,000 RPM. Once the engine has turned over and is running, the overrun clutch will release the starter from the flywheel and prevent the gears from re-meshing (as in an accidental turning of the ignition key) while the engine is running
As you did not say which vehicle this can only be a general answer Unlikely that a faulty coil would cause an engine to knock. Very possible it would cause bucking, if the coil is failing there would be a lack of spark. This would cause bucking/missfire, which may cause the engine to shake on it's mountings possibly causing a knock from contact with the vehicle frame.
This might help you a little bit,I have a 96 Cherokee that dose that, took it to shop still having problem your flywheel may be the problem you starter maybe in a dead spot on your flywheel(Missing a tooth)
if you have good battery and cable connections, the starter motor or starter relay is bad