Jim Leonhard hired as senior defensive football analyst at Illinois under Bret Bielema
Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will be on Illinois' coaching staff for the upcoming college football season.
Leonhard acted as interim coach for the Badgers from Oct. 1 through the end of the season after head coach Paul Chryst was fired. But, after Wisconsin hired Luke Fickell, Leonhard left the program having spent his entire coaching career with his alma mater.
It has taken a few months for him to find a new job. But, the Illinois Fighting Illini announced that Leonhard will be a senior defensive analyst for former Badgers coach Bret Bielema.
In a press release, Illinois shared the lengthy journey of Leonhard and how he ended up coaching for Illinois.
Jim Leonhard's career journey
Jim Leonhard played 10 NFL seasons despite beginning as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2005. After three years in Buffalo, he joined the Baltimore Ravens for a year and spent the next three years with the New York Jets.
Leonhard then played a year with the Denver Broncos and split 2013 between the New Orleans Saints and Bills. He ended his career in 2014 with the Cleveland Browns.
Welcome to the #famILLy, Jim Leonhard!
#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/EpTWrCrhVf
Leonhard started coaching in 2016 at his alma mater to work as the defensive backs coach for a year. After one season, he added defensive coordinator to his title alongside DB coach, a role he had until October 2022, when he was promoted to interim head coach.
Despite becoming a defensive coordinator so quickly, Leonhard was a finalist for the Broyles Award, presented to the nation's top assistant coach, in his first season running Wisconsin's defense in 2017.
Leonhard was known for his stout defense. In his first five seasons as defensive coordinator, Wisconsin ranked among the nation's top five in total defense and top 10 in scoring defense four times.
In 2021, Wisconsin allowed just 239.1 yards per game, the third-best mark in school history and the lowest total at Wisconsin since 1954. It was the fewest yards allowed by an FBS team since 2011.
Jim Leonhard is now set to bring his knowledge on defense to Illinois. As well he will coach against his former team on Oct. 21.