Jim Leonhard interviewed for an NFL job
Jim Leonhard took an interview with the Philadelphia Eagles for the defensive coordinator position this week. The Eagles, who made it to the Super Bowl, lost their defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Gannon became the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach. The Eagles’ defensive coordinator vacancy is considered one of the top assistant jobs in the NFL because of their stacked defensive roster.
According to Jeremy Fowler with ESPN, Leonhard will not take the Eagles’ defensive coordinator job. The decision between the two parties was “mutually decided,” per the Wednesday report. Leonhard plans to receive hip surgery and take a break from coaching for one season.
The #Eagles and Jim Leonhard mutually decided they would not move forward with his DC candidacy, per league sources. Leonhard had planned to undergo hip surgery and sit out coaching for a year, but when Eagles job opened, both sides had interest in discussing the position, which… https://t.co/3zG4r6Ryy4
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 22, 2023
The Eagles’ job would have been a big career boost for the former Wisconsin Badgers interim head coach. The Eagles coordinator positions landed two NFL assistants head coaching jobs for next season. Leonhard would have had a chance to rise from being a college defensive coordinator to a potential NFL head coach in just a few seasons.
There is no doubt Leonhard will still be able to field prestigious offers next offseason as he’s well-regarded around the NFL and elite college football ranks.
