Jim Leonhard announces he won't return to the Wisconsin Badgers in 2023
Beloved Wisconsin football legend Jim Leonhard announced he won't return to the program as DC under Luke Fickell next season.
MADISON, Wis – In a surprising turn of events, Jim Leonhard took to social media Tuesday night to announce that he will stay on as coach through the Guaranteed Rate Bowl Game but will not return as Wisconsin's defensive coordinator in 2023.
"It has meant the world to me to be able to pour my heart and soul into the UW football program for the last seven years," Leonhard wrote on Twitter. "After discussions with my family and Coach Fickell, I will remain DC through the bowl game but will no longer be part of the staff after the conclusion of the 2022 season.
"It has been an honor to coach these young men, and thank you to all the fans who supported us along the way."
The man, the myth, the legend...
Jimmy Leonhard might be the most universally loved person in the entire state of Wisconsin. He played for UW from 2001-04, beginning his career as a walk-on, and finishing as a three-time All-American at safety. Leonhard parlayed that collegiate success into a decade-long NFL career before enjoying a meteoric rise through the college coaching ranks, where he quickly became one of the country's most accomplished and well-respected coordinators.
From 2017-21, the Badgers finished in the top five nationally in total defense and scoring defense four times under Leonhard. Wisconsin was No. 3 in points allowed (17.3 per game), No. 1 in total yards allowed (284.8 per game), No. 1 in defensive pass-efficiency (110.5 RTG), and No. 3 in rushing defense (103.4 YPG). In short, he's really, really good at his job.
He also served as UW's interim head coach in 2022, going 4-3 and keeping the consecutive bowl appearance streak alive.
Closing thoughts
This one hurts. It's like losing a family member that you've never even met. Jim Leonhard gave everything he had to the University of Wisconsin, both on and off the field, and deserves to pursue the right opportunity for his family and career moving forward.
Wherever he lands next, I have no doubt he'll find success because that's just what he does. A proven winner at every level - Jim Leonhard will always be a Wisconsin football legend. Thank you for everything, coach.
Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin football news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.
Join the Badger Notes watch party and stream Wisconsin Badgers games by following this link.
*Chat about this article over at Badgers After Dark