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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.
Buffalo Bills — 2005-07
After going undrafted in 2005, Jim Leonhard earned a spot on the 53-man roster for the Buffalo Bills with a strong camp, including here where he catches a pass during a combined training camp session with the Green Bay Packers Aug. 4, 2005, in Green Bay. In his first stint with Buffalo, Leonhard recorded 77 total tackles and two interceptions while appearing in 38 games, including seven starts, over three seasons.
Baltimore Ravens — 2008
Jim Leonhard spent the 2008 season with the Baltimore Ravens, registering 69 total tackles with an interception for a touchdown and a fumble recovery. He also handled return duties, finishing the season with eight kick returns for 163 yards and 20 punt returns for 232 yards, including this return against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 21, 2008, in Baltimore. Leonhard also appeared in three playoff games that season as Baltimore reached the AFC Championship game, with 16 total tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.
New York Jets — 2009-11
Jim Leonhard spent the next three seasons with the New York Jets, finishing his time there with 184 total tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles while also returning 51 punts for 494 yards over 40 regular-season games, all of which he started at strong safety. He also appeared in three playoff games for the Jets, with 12 tackles, an interception, two forced fumbles and a sack.
Denver Broncos — 2012
Jim Leonhard's fourth stop in the NFL was Denver, where he spent his eighth season helping the Broncos reach the postseason. He appeared in all 16 regular-season games, making one start, while registering 18 total tackles and grabbing two interceptions, including this one on a pass intended for San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates Oct. 15, 2012, in San Diego. In the playoffs, Leonhard had a pair of solo tackles as the Broncos were eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round.
Buffalo Bills — 2013
Jim Leonhard spent his penultimate season in the NFL back with the Buffalo Bills, recording 41 total tackles, six passes defended and four interceptions, including this one he brought back 17 yards in Buffalo's win over the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 22, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. He appeared in all 16 regular-season games while making seven starts for the Bills, also returning seven punts for 63 yards.
Cleveland Browns — 2014
Jim Leonhard joined the Cleveland Browns for his final NFL season in 2014. He finished the year with 42 total tackles and a pair of interceptions, including this one against his former team, the Buffalo Bills, on Nov. 30, 2014, in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Final NFL game — Dec. 28, 2014
Jim Leonhard played his final NFL game (above) against one of his former teams, the Baltimore Ravens, on Dec. 28, 2014, in Baltimore. Leonhard closed his pro career with 431 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and 14 interceptions in 142 regular-season games over 10 seasons. In his seven career postseason appearances, he had a total of 30 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions to go along with 115 punt-return yards.
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.”
