Jim Leonhard will not be the new defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. In a tweet by Tom Oates, it was revealed that Leonhard was offered and has declined the job to fill the Packers open defensive coordinator position. The Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator was considered the favorite to take the job in Green Bay. After two rounds of interviews, Jim Leonard was offered the job by head coach Matt LaFleur. But Leonhard has decided to stay with the Badgers and declined the offer. In another tweet by Oates, Leonard said he declined because his heart was in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Career
This is definitely good news for Badgers fans. Leonhard has quickly become a rising star in the college football landscape. And for good reason, with Wisconsin having had yet another great year on defense. Leonhard began his coaching career in 2016 as the Defensive Back coach for the Badgers. In 2017, he became Wisconsin’s new defensive coordinator. And he had immediate success. He was named a finalists for the Broyles Award, which recognizes the top assistant coaches in college football.
Current Candidates
There were only three candidates who were up for the job that got second interviews, Jim Leonhard, Ejiro Evero and Joe Barry. With Leonhard declining, the new front runner is Ejiro Evero. He was considered the second front runner next to Leonhard. Evero is the safeties coach for the Los Angeles Rams. So the job is now likely his to decline, at this point. But the other name to keep an eye on is Joe Barry. Barry is the linebacker’s and assistant head coach for the Rams. Barry has also had a few stints at defensive coordinator already. But they did not go too well. The new defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers will likely be announced in the next few days, if not sooner.
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