Jim Leonhard is officially on the market. The former Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator and interim head coach helped his team win the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in what was his last game with the program. Despite reports that new head coach Luke Fickell would welcome Leonhard onto his staff, the spurned interim head coach decided that he would leave the program after the Guaranteed Rate Bowl Game. After the decision was made, Coach Fickell called the decision on that was “best for all of us.” According to reports, Leonhard would have seen a reduced role had he stayed on Fickell’s staff. That being said, Fickell deferred to Leonhard during the Bowl Game, essentially having Leonhard on as acting head coach for his final game with Wisconsin.
Related: Those Close to Jim Leonhard Were Blindsided by Luke Fickell Hire
What Is Next for Jim Leonhard?
Even though he will not be returning to Wisconsin, Jim Leonhard will almost assuredly be coaching elsewhere next season. Of course, Green Bay Packers fans want him as the defensive coordinator. Leonhard was originally offered that job, but turned it down to stay with Wisconsin. Joe Barry is on the hot seat after his defense regressed terribly this season.
Related: Three Reasons Why Jim Leonhard Should Be the Packers Next Defensive Coordinator
There are also ideas swirling around that Leonhard could fit as the defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns. Leonhard played for the Browns in 2014, the last year of his career. Other reports have linked him to taking over as defensive coordinator at Purdue.
Jim Leonhard Has Some Interesting Connections on the Packers Coaching Staff
Jim Leonhard played in the NFL for 10 years. During that decade, he spent time with four NFL teams: The Buffalo Bills, the Baltimore Ravens, the New York Jets, and Cleveland Browns. This movement allowed him to play for and make connections with several coaches that are former or current Packers staff members.
Buffalo Bills
Before he was “defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard,” he was a reliable safety in the NFL. Leonhard was first drafted into the league by the Buffalo Bills in 2005. The offensive coordinator for the Bills that season was Tom Clements, now the Packers quarterback coach. The defensive coordinator was Jerry Gray, who coaches defensive backs for Green Bay.
Also on staff as an offensive quality control coach was Alex Van Pelt, who coached for the Packers from 2012-2018.
Baltimore Ravens
After three seasons in Buffalo, Jim Leonhard spent a season with the Baltimore Ravens. That season, 2008, saw Leonhard score his only career touchdown on a pick-six. The outside linebackers coach for Baltimore that year was former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.
New York Jets
After his season in Baltimore, Jim Leonhard spent three years with the New York Jets. His defensive coordinator during that time was the aforementioned Mike Pettine.
Buffalo Bills (Round Two)
Leonhard returned to Buffalo for one season following a one-year stint with the Denver Broncos. This time around in Buffalo, the offensive coordinator was Nathaniel Hackett and the defensive coordinator was… Mike Pettine.
Cleveland Browns
After spending the previous five seasons playing for Mike Pettine as his defensive coordinator, Leonhard went to play for him again in Cleveland. This time, though, Pettine was the head coach. It is also notable that an offensive intern on that team was Mike LaFleur, the brother of the Packers current head coach.
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