Explore Jim Leonhard's ascent from Wisconsin walk-on to interim coach
As Jim Leonhard embarks on his latest challenge at Wisconsin, these photos capture his ascent from Badgers walk-on to starter, then to the NFL and back to UW.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
Wisconsin football's history with walk-ons is storied. Its current coach and a walk-on success story don't want to see that tradition end with the NCAA vs. House settlement.
Jim Leonhard has kept a low profile since leaving the Badgers. His father says he's enjoying life in the NFL with the red-hot Denver Broncos.
The Badgers program legend credits Wisconsin for teaching him important lessons in how to handle a complicated job.
