The Wisconsin Badgers have had nothing but outstanding news regarding their coaching staff over the last week. In a stunning move, the Wisconsin Badgers finalized a deal to hire Luke Fickell as their next head coach. Many thought interim head coach Jim Leonhard would become the next Wisconsin head coach but this is not the case. Instead, the Badgers decided to make a big splash hire and go with Fickell. After that hire, many thought that Wisconsin would lose their interim head coach/defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. As it turns out, that’s not the case.
Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Leonhard will stay with the Badgers program. Likely as the Badgers’ defensive coordinator. Understandable so, Wisconsin social media went crazy when they found out Fickell and Leonhard will be on the same coaching staff in Madison.
Wisconsin Badgers Social Media Goes Wild
With the news breaking this morning about Leonhard staying, Twitter went wild.
Not to be dramatic, but I’d take a bullet for Jim Leonhard. No questions asked. #Badgers pic.twitter.com/M0m8Ypistk
— Dillon Graff (@DillonGraff) December 3, 2022
Luke Fickell and Jim Leonhard in 2023: pic.twitter.com/CjBjSnmByN
— Coach Riley (@BadgersRiley) December 3, 2022
Luke Fickell didn’t have to keep Jim Leonhard or ask him to stay on, but he did.
Jim Leonhard could’ve have gone wherever he wanted, but he didn’t.
Best possible scenario for Chris Macintosh. Wisconsin is very lucky to have Jim Leonhard
— Dylan Buboltz (@DylanBuboltz) December 3, 2022
Build Jim Leonhard a statue in Madison https://t.co/Z2uyO1WSGm
— Kegan Reneau (@KeganReneau) December 3, 2022
https://t.co/gw2uuSp6Dc pic.twitter.com/xfCPiuoPry
— Badger Barstool (@badgerbarstool) December 3, 2022
Find someone that loves you the way Jim Leonhard loves the #Badgers. pic.twitter.com/MpvmpD56Hv
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) December 3, 2022
It is clear that Wisconsin loves Jim Leonhard as much as Leonhard loves Wisconsin. He would have had many opportunities as a head coaching candidate or to even take the next step to the NFL. However, he chose to stay in Madison, and Badgers fans are extremely grateful.
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2 Comments
Very impressed with the decisions made by the Badgers over the last 2 weeks. Jim Leonard will get his chance. He was smart to stay and learn from a great coach.
Fickell is a class act, Leonard as well. As a Buckeyes fan, I have always respected Wisconsin. Now I see them as the next biggest rival to ttun (small letters intended). On Wisconsin, except when they play OSU!