The Wisconsin Badgers were unable to convince former defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jim Leonhard to stay after he was passed over in favor of Luke Fickell for the permanent coaching job. Recently, Leonhard made comments at a football camp he hosted that he was disappointed by the way things ended at Wisconsin.
He also said he was patiently awaiting what his next opportunity in football would be:
“I’m being patient. I am excited about where I am at with my family and just figuring out what’s next, what the next steps are. I had some health things I needed to take care of after the season so just excited to enjoy a fall with a little bit more low key.”
As it turns out, he did not have to wait too much longer.
Wisconsin Badgers Legend Jim Leonhard Accepts Job With Illinois Illini Football Team
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Earlier today, Illinois shared that Leonhard has accepted a job on their coaching staff as a senior football analyst:
Welcome to the #famILLy, Jim Leonhard!#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/EpTWrCrhVf
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) July 25, 2023
Of course, the head coach of the Illinois football team is former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema.
The medical issues that Leonhard referred to was a hip surgery that he required. Due to the recovery process, Leonhard had previously pulled out of several coaching job searches that would have required him to move and stand more.
Presumably, his job as an analyst for the Illini will provide him with the physical accommodations that he requires. It will be interesting to see that, once his hip is fully healed, what other opportunities he pursues, whether in college football or the pro’s.
Leonhard famously (infamously?) turned down the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator position in 2021.
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