The Green Bay Packers fired Joe Berry earlier this week and there are several candidates who could fill the job. One candidate who stands out in particular for his Wisconsin ties and successful record is candidate Jim Leonhard. Most Packers fans know Leonhart, 41, as the defensive coordinator for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2017 to 2022.
Leonhard began his career playing defensive back and safety at the University of Wisconsin from 2001 to 2004. He was a three-time All-American and three-time Big Ten player at Madison. He played for six NFL teams from 2005 to 2014, including the New York Jets, where he was coached by defensive end Rex Ryan.
The University of Wisconsin hired him as the defensive backs coach under coordinator Justin Wilcox and head coach Paul Chryst. When Wilcox took over as Cal’s head coach after the 2016 season, Wisconsin promoted Leonhardt to defensive coordinator. The Badgers allowed just 262.1 yards per game and 13.9 points in their first year on defense.
It ranks first in the Big Ten and second in the nation behind only Alabama’s Crimson Tide. Wisconsin won 13 of 14 games on the year, held Ohio State to 27 points and forced three turnovers in the Big Ten Championship Game.In 2019, Leonhardt’s defense ranked second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and fourth in the nation.
After a 2-3 start to the 2022 college football season, the Badgers fired Chris and promoted Leonhard to head coach. Wisconsin finished that season with a 4-3 record and played in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. He served as the defensive coordinator for that game under Luke Fickell.Leonhard retired from Wisconsin in 2022 and is a senior football analyst at the University of Illinois. After the Packers fired Mike Pettine after the 2020 season, he was offered the defensive coordinator job, but Leonhard turned it down and stayed at Wisconsin.
He has a track record of success, learned defensive skills from some great coaches and is young and energetic. The Packers may also need 44-year-old Matt LaFleur to add to their young, energetic roster. Assuming they offer him the job again, Leonhard would benefit from Green Bay owning DC. His move from analyst at a college unknown for its football program to defensive coordinator for one of the most storied organizations in the NFL, if not all of sports, would be a step up.
Many fans are calling for this to happen on social media as Leonhard has gained many supporters during his time in Madison. Leonhard ran a 2-4-5 during his time at Wisconsin, relying primarily on getting behind the linebackers to protect the pass. But he also used a 2-4-5, and since there were technically only two defensive linemen on the field, he ran multiple lineball blitzes to create unexpected pressure on multiple flanks.
Joe Barry also went 2-4-5 on the season. He said the focus is on pass protection, which is why Green Bay’s defense hasn’t been good enough. It may seem surprising, but since Leonhard played and learned from Rex Ryan of the New York Jets from 2009 to 2011, he can adjust his scheme to a 3-3-5 to better protect the spot by eliminating linebackers .
And then we put a third lineman on the field. Unlike Barry’s defense, Leonhard’s unit played close and aggressive. Barry often took corner kicks from distance despite having five defensive backs on the field. This gave the receiver space on the route and allowed him to catch short passes. With Leonhardt’s youthful energy and passion, he can force his bench players to play closer and play to win instead of playing not to lose. Now seems like the perfect time for Leonhard to come home and coach the Packers.
