Former Wisconsin interim head coach Jim Leonhard has made his decision.
Amidst much speculation, Leonhard broke his silence late Tuesday night with a Twitter post, announcing that he will coach through the bowl game against Oklahoma State but would not remain on staff after the end of the 2022 season.
“It has meant the world to me to be able to pour my heart and soul into the UW football program over the last 7 years,” Leonhard said in his post. “After discussions with my family and Coach (Luke) Fickell, I will remain the DC through the bowl game but no longer be a part of the staff after the conclusion of the 2022 season.”
The decision comes nine days after Wisconsin made the hire of Luke Fickell as the next head coach official. In a Zoom session with reporters this past Sunday, Fickell made it known that Leonhard was still mulling over his decision and that there was no rush.
"It has been an honor to coach these young men and thank you to all the fans who supported us all the young way," Leonhard added. "On, Wisconsin!"
In the seven weeks that Leonhard served as the interim head coach, he guided UW to a 4-3 record, which included a 3-1 stretch in the four weeks immediately after taking over.
The team's effort under Leonhard markedly improved. The vocal support for the Wisconsin native seemed to point in his favor to land the job in a full time role. Instead, athletic director Chris McIntosh went with a more proven direction in Fickell.
Both Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and McIntosh praised Leonhard, who was also considered for the head coaching position at Wisconsin during Fickell's introductory press conference. During his time as the interim coach, Leonhard kept the Badgers' bowl streak alive at 21 years.
“He over delivered,” McIntosh said of Leonhard. “A lot has been spoken about wins and losses. I want to be clear that’s not what it’s about. Jim’s ability to step into the program after an incredibly difficult transition and inspire this team to play with passion and heart the way they did throughout the season with passion and heart is incredible. We owe him that.
“Because of the process and the timing, I had the ability to watch Jimmy on a day-to-day basis and obviously had a great base of knowledge of who he was and what he stood for. I gave him strong consideration, very strong consideration.”
Leonhard, a former All-American safety at Wisconsin, joined former head coach Paul Chryst's staff in 2016 after a 10-year career in the NFL.
From 2017 to 2021 under Leonhard, Wisconsin ranked in the top five in total defense and top 10 in scoring defense four times. In 2021, the Badgers allowed just 239.1 yards per game, the third-best mark in school history and the lowest total at UW since 1954.
Mike Tressel, the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach, and Colin Hitschler, the co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach, came over with Fickell from Cincinnati. Tressel is a strong candidate to UW's new coordinator.
Since the transfer portal opened on Dec. 5th, seven players have announced an intention to transfer. With Leonhard's departure looming, that number could balloon in the coming days.
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