Why has Tony Granato gotten such a long leash as opposed to coach Chryst?
— Chris Cesar (@Cesar_Chris) October 4, 2022
Is Paul Chryst the Mike Eaves of Wisconsin football? And doesn't the end of the Eaves era show that giving a struggling coach another year to turn it around can sometimes derail a program for a decade?
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) October 2, 2022
I was 10 for the ‘94 Rose Bowl… With NIL changing the college football landscape, did I live through peak Badger Football and the rest is downhill from here?
— B-Rent H. (@BeeRentRuns) October 2, 2022
What are some things a program can do midseason to address some of the issues the Badgers are facing? And is there an underutilized player or two who could inject some energy (like B. Allen last year)?
— Drew Hansen (@Drubaru) October 2, 2022
Bostad has coached some stellar o-lines at Wisconsin. Looking at recruiting rankings the talent should be there. what is the root cause of poor o-line play?
— Bill_Woj (@Slough_Creek) October 2, 2022
A question that most folks have and may not currently have a definitive answer is what are the metrics for either keeping JL or looking for a different HC at the end of the season. Given all the moving parts what are the metrics to Mac believing JL had a successful interim?
— Christopher Wollak (@wollakcj) October 4, 2022
What record does Jimmy need to finish the season with to get the interim tag removed? And is that record possible?
— firstname_bunchofnumbers (@firstname_numbe) October 4, 2022
What do you think the expectations for Jim Leonhard for the rest of this season are internally? Do you think the athletic department is expecting him to turn this season around?
— Badger Steve 🧀🍺🦌 (@UW_Steve) October 4, 2022
Will Leonard or whomever is coach blow up program and start with more modern style. Or do we stay with same formula just changing out a few coaches?
— mike kerry (@BadgerMike) October 4, 2022
With Chryst out and Leonhard in, thoughts on Engram as OC moving forward? Assuming interim is removed after this season (likely), will Leonhard clean house and bring in his “own guys” to change direction with this offense, or give Engram a chance the rest of the way to change?
— C.J. Boehler (@CJBoehler) October 3, 2022
Can Badger fans expect to see a qb labeled 2nd string start If Mertz doesn’t improve his ball security?
— Tailchaser5000 (@tailchaser5000) October 4, 2022
Any chance Mertz isn’t the starter this week? https://t.co/a7xEtvYXb3
— Andy Diehl (@Great_One82) October 4, 2022
Where is the disconnect on this team? Too young? Coaches that are not aligned? Do some coaches need to shift gears in a hurry to align with JL?
— Todd (@pilprin) October 4, 2022
With all this love for Paul Chryst from players after his firing, do you think some star players like Mertz or Allen will transfer?
— Michael Paduano (@greenwave70) October 4, 2022
Do you think Chryst was planning to retire after the season and the bad start made it kinda a mutual decision to do it now? Just trying to understand why Chryst would agree to lowering the buyout from 20 Mil to 11 Mil.
— Jon Meck - Khash Money Stan (@BleedBadgerRed) October 4, 2022
Jim, how unique is the culture at UW for athletics? Listening to Chris McIntosh and Jim Leonard talk about Paul Chryst. The word “love” was used multiple times. Many programs say “family”…. but this seems sincere and unique in that regard
— Rob Finley (@finleyr27) October 3, 2022
Explore Jim Leonhard's ascent from Wisconsin walk-on to interim coach
UW walk-on — 2001
Jim Leonhard joined the Badgers as a walk-on for the 2001 season, during which he contributed on special teams, including here where he knocks Western Kentucky's Joseph Jefferson out of the way before retrieving a fumble during a Badgers victory Sept. 29, 2001, at Camp Randall.
First start at UW — Aug. 23, 2002
Jim Leonhard turned in a strong performance in his first start with the Badgers, intercepting two passes and breaking up a deep throw in the final minutes to help UW edge Fresno State in their season opener Aug. 23, 2002, at Camp Randall.
Retrieving the Axe — Nov. 23, 2002
Sophomore Jim Leonhard hoists the Paul Bunyan Axe after picking off two passes to help Wisconsin rout Minnesota 49-31 in the regular-season finale Nov. 23, 2002, to regain possession of the Axe after falling to the Gophers in 2001. Leonhard finished the 2002 season with 11 interceptions along with 36 punt returns for 434 yards and a touchdown.
Junior season at UW — 2003
Jim Leonhard returned 34 punts for 470 yards and two scores as a junior while also intercepting seven passes, including this one in the first half of UW's 56-21 win over Michigan State on Nov. 15, 2003, at Camp Randall. The Badgers earned a trip to the Music City Bowl in Nashville that season, but fell to Auburn to finish 7-6 on the year.
Final run at UW — 2004
Jim Leonhard finished his UW career strong with 35 punt returns for 443 yards along with three interceptions and a fumble return for a touchdown in his senior season to wrap up his time with the Badgers tied for the program record for most interceptions and with the Big Ten record for career punt return yardage.
UW defensive backs coach — 2016
Jim Leonhard wasn't out of football long after retiring from the NFL, returning to UW as defensive backs coach in February 2016, in time to help coach Paul Chryst prepare the Badgers during spring practices April 23, 2016, in Madison. UW went on to finish the season ranked No. 8 in the country with an 11-3 record and a win over No. 12 Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl.
UW defensive coordinator — 2017-22
Jim Leonhard moved up quickly from position coach to defensive coordinator, with Chryst promoting Leonhard just a year after adding the former Badger to the coaching staff. In his first season running the defense, Leonhard helped guide the Badgers to an appearance in the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis (above) on Dec. 2, 2017. While UW tied Ohio State with a defensive touchdown in the first quarter, the No. 8 Buckeyes went on to hand the No. 3 Badgers their first loss of the season. UW slipped to sixth in the nation with the loss and went on to the Orange Bowl where a win over No. 11 Miami capped a 13-1 season. In Leonhard's five-plus seasons as defensive coordinator, the Badgers compiled a 46-20 record.
UW interim head coach — Oct. 2, 2022
Jim Leonhard was named interim head coach of the UW football program on Oct. 2, replacing Paul Chryst, the coach who brought him back to Madison. Leonhard acknowledged the challenges in helping guide the program through the transition, but expressed confidence in his ability to get the job done. "I’m up to that task," Leonhard said when the coaching change was announced, "and I'm excited for that journey that we're about to go on.”
