Jim Leonhard Linked To Big Ten Job Opening

Jim Leonhard could be coaching against the Badgers soon

The college coaching carousel is just beginning here in early December. The Wisconsin Badgers made their big splash by bringing in Luke Fickell. Fickell has brought in top-tier coaching assistants to Madison. But the Badgers lost one of their best coaches, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who was with Paul Chryst’s regime.

Leonhard’s services will be a hot commodity in the football offseason. His name has been linked to another job in Wisconsin, the Green Bay Packers. However, other colleges will likely come calling for a successful interim coach. Leonhard’s name has already been linked to Cincinnati to replace Fickell. This week, he was linked to a Big Ten job.

Bruce Feldman with The Athletic wrote about possible replacements for Jeff Brohm at Purdue. Brohm, a Kentucky native and former Louisville Cardinals player, left the Indiana college to take the Louisville head coaching gig. Feldman thinks Leonhard would make a great fit as the defensive coordinator for the next head coach of the Boilermakers:

“Leonhard, who went 4-3 as the Badgers’ interim head coach this year, will leave his alma mater after the bowl game. Right after he took over, the Badgers beat Brohm and the Boilermakers 35-24. He’s shown that he’s one of the brightest defensive minds in football. Expect Leonhard to be a hot commodity in college and the NFL for places looking to upgrade the defense. Would be a fit for Purdue as a leader? We’ll see.”

We’ll see if Leonhard takes that position. That job would also feel like a demotion compared to the defensive coordinator position at Wisconsin. The Badgers favorite will likely have better job offers in the coming weeks.