Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is expected to join the Denver Broncos’ staff as a secondary coach, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler. Leonhard spent this past college football season as a senior analyst for Illinois. He played for the Broncos in 2012 as part of his decade-long NFL career. Leonard was talking to several NFL and college teams, per the report.
Leonhard was often mentioned as a potential candidate for vacant defensive coordinator positions in college football since leaving the Wisconsin staff after the 2022 season. The Green Bay Packers reportedly targeted him for its now-filled defensive coordinator position in January.
He spent seven seasons on the Badgers coaching staff, including six as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Leonhard served as the interim coach for the final seven games of the 2022 season after head coach Paul Chryst was fired. He led Wisconsin to a 4-3 record and bowl appearance, but announced his departure from the program after the hiring of new head coach Luke Fickell that November.
In his first season as defensive coordinator at Wisconsin in 2017, Leonhard was named a finalist for the Broyles Award, which recognizes the top assistant coach in college football. The Badgers ranked third nationally in scoring defense (13.9), second in total defense (262.1), third in rushing defense (98.43) and fifth in passing defense (163.6).
Wisconsin finished top-5 in scoring defense among Big Ten programs in five of the six seasons with Leonhard as coordinator. He initially joined the Badgers’ coaching staff in 2016 as the defensive backs coach, learning the system left behind by former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, who left for the same position at LSU before becoming the head coach at Baylor in 2020.
Leonhard earned All-America honors three times during his college career at Wisconsin as a safety. He also earned first-team All-Big Ten honors three times. Leonhard joined the Badgers as a walk-on in 2001. He did not earn a scholarship until his senior season, despite being the starting safety in years prior. Leonhard played in every game of his college career at Wisconsin, making 39 starts in the process. He set a program record with 21 career interceptions and finished with 50 passes defensed. His 11 interceptions during the 2002 season tied a Big Ten record. Leonard was also a threat on special teams with two punt returns for a touchdowns and a Big Ten record 1,347 career punt return yards.
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Leonhard went undrafted after his senior season in 2005, but signed with the Buffalo Bills, where he spent the first three years of his NFL career and another in 2013. He also had stints with the Baltimore Ravens (2008), New York Jets (2009-2011), Denver Broncos (2012) and Cleveland Browns (2014). Leonhard ended his pro career with 329 total tackles, including 4.5 sacks, 14 interceptions — one of which was returned for a touchdown — three forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
