![]() ![]() Under Leonhard’s guidance over the last five years, the Wisconsin defense ranks top five nationally in points, total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, completion percentage and third down conversions, per Zach Heilprin. But right now, this is where I want to be, at this level, with this group of kids,” Leonhard said. Right now, I just feel like UW is the right place. I know the good, I know the bad, being in there for 10 years. In the end, staying with Wisconsin – and continuing to build and guide the Badgers football program while keeping his young family in Madison – kept Leonhard from taking the step to the NFL. JIM LEONHARD FULLLeonhard described himself as a “longshot” to leave Madison going into the process, but he was intrigued by the opportunity to coordinate an NFL defense for a Super Bowl contender and went through the full interview process with LaFleur. The two met twice, once virtually and once in person, per Oates and Wilde. Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is shown before their game against Illinois State Saturday, Septemat Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Few could be considered more knowledgeable about having success on defense at Wisconsin than Leonhard, a 2015 inductee to the UW Athletic Hall of Fame. Leonhard is the 31st head coach in Wisconsin football history. His ties to Madison are strong, but Leonhard said he was “about out the door,” signaling how close he was to taking the Packers’ job, and he even talked contract numbers with LaFleur this week. After six years as the Wisconsin defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard stepped into the role of interim head coach on Oct. ![]() In 2016, he joined the Wisconsin coaching staff as a defensive backs coach and was promoted one year later to defensive coordinator. He went on to be a three-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten selection before carving out a 10-year NFL career. Leonhard, 38, was a walk-on defensive back at Wisconsin in 2001. But it was not the right time for me to go back to the NFL.” Leonhard was an All-American safety at UW under Barry Alvarez. ![]() “It was me choosing UW,” Leonhard told Oates and Wilde. 1 day ago &0183 &32 Jim Leonhard handled the transition from Wisconsin assistant to interim head coach - and his players emotions - with aplomb. It's a career change he said was a 'dream coming out of a nightmare.' The rare, in-season staffing change was made Sunday, after Paul Chryst was fired by University of Wisconsin Athletics Director Chris McIntosh. Now Jim Leonhard will take the helm as interim head coach of Badgers Football. Leonhard spoke with Tom Oates and Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal about the process and why he eventually decided to state at Wisconsin. He started as a walk-on at Camp Randall in 2001. Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard was close to taking the same job with Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers, but his love of the Badgers football program and desire to stay in Madison ultimately led him to turn down the offer on Friday. ![]()
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