What comes next for Wisconsin Badgers DC Jim Leonhard?
The Wisconsin football program is moving forward with Luke Fickell as head coach of the Badgers. But what comes next for Jim Leonhard?
(Photo: Courtesy of UW Athletics)
MADISON, Wis — If you're a fan of the Wisconsin football program, the hiring of Luke Fickell as head coach probably came with mixed emotions.
On the one hand, the Badgers hired a top 10-15 coach in the country and pushed their chips all in on the football program moving forward. How could you not be over the moon?
Then there's the flip side. Jim Leonhard, a legend at UW, led the Badgers to a 4-3 record as interim HC and earned bowl eligibility, keeping their streak alive (this matters). However, he got passed over for his dream coaching job after winning over the locker room and doing an admirable job keeping the proverbial ship afloat.
The Wisconsin head coaching job was thought to be his by nearly everyone close to the program until he and his camp were reportedly "blindsided" by the events that materialized last weekend.
Now that a week has passed, let's discuss coach Leonhard's options in the wake of getting passed over for the head coaching job at Wisconsin - because this man won't be without plentiful opportunities…
Stay on staff as Wisconsin's Defensive Coordinator
Coach Fickell mentioned that he and Jim Leonhard spoke several times after he arrived on campus and that he would be open to keeping him on staff.
"Definitely, I am," coach Fickell said when asked if he's considering asking Jim Leonhard to join his staff. "We had a great conversation. I am very open to picking his brain on a lot of things. He loves this place. He's a die-hard. There are a lot of options that are open."
If you could somehow convince him to stay, keeping Leonhard on staff would be a godsend for several reasons. He's already one of the most accomplished defensive coordinators in college football; the players love him, which could help with roster retention, and overall, it gives UW the best chance to win games.
That said, there's a personal side of this business that could make this scenario unrealistic. Feelings get hurt, especially when everyone and their cousin thought this would be Leonhard's job.
Fickell likely will bring along Mike Tressel, the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach, and Colin Hitschler, the co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach.
So, the writing, at least in my eyes, is on the wall here.
This man gave everything he had to the Wisconsin football program, so he probably has more interest in a fresh start, but only time will tell.
Give the NFL a shot
Two years ago, coach Leonhard got offered the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator job, which he ultimately passed on in favor of remaining at UW - presumably waiting on the head coaching gig. Now that it's off the table, a return to the NFL could appeal to the Wisconsin native.
*Cough cough* the Packers could really use him as defensive coordinator (just in case Matt LaFleur is reading this).
A new challenge, a pay hike, and a chance to further his career would understandably be enticing. If he goes this route, I have little doubt he'd succeed.