Leonhard played high school football at Flambeau High School in Tony, Wisconsin where he was the starting quarterback and strong safety. During his freshman year, 1997, the Flambeau Falcons won the Wisconsin state championship in football in division six over River Ridge high school. Leonhard was a team captain in his junior and senior seasons, the same seasons in which he was a first team All-State performer. He was also named team MVP in his senior year.
College career
Leonhard was a walk-on football player at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, having received no Division 1-A scholarship offers out of high school. He was not awarded a scholarship until his senior year, despite the fact that he had been a regular starting safety before that season and had already been named All-Big Ten twice. Noted for his speed, leaping ability, and sure tackling, he totaled 21 interceptions (tied with Jamar Fletcher for the most in school history) and made 281 tackles. He held the Big Ten Conference career punt return yardage record with 1,347 yards until Michigan's Steve Breaston eclipsed his mark in 2006.
Jim Leonhard Highlights - The Smallest Safety in NFL History
published: 11 Jul 2019
Jim Leonhard Feature
Brandon Williams visits with new Wisconsin DC Jim Leonhard.
published: 22 Apr 2017
Why is Jim Leonhard not returning to Wisconsin? Could Phil Longo's offense be a reason?
It was widely reported (just last week) that Jim Leonhard was going to stay at Wisconsin under new head coach Luke Fickell. But recently, Leonhard announced that he will be leaving the Badgers program... but has not announced where he's going. Obviously he'll have plenty of options, and there are multiple reasons why he may be leaving, but shortly after he announced he was leaving, Wisconsin announced they're hiring Phil Longo (from North Carolina) as their new offensive coordinator. No defensive coordinator in recent memory has had success coaching defense next to Longo's offenses... is it possible that Leonhard decided he didn't want to be paired with an offense that sometimes puts defenses in a bad spot?
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From...
published: 09 Dec 2022
Jim Leonhard on his coaching philosophy
Jim Leonhard's coaching philosophy is to reach every player's individual goals and motivation.
published: 30 Aug 2021
Leonhard Goes Above the Rim
published: 31 Aug 2017
Jim Leonhard Wisconsin Mix
Highlights of Wisconsin football great Jim Leonhard from his days in Madison...
published: 05 Sep 2015
He is the BEST Defensive Coordinator in College Football...
Jim Leonhard has had to work for everything throughout his career from being a Walk-on at Wisconsin to putting together an impressive 10 year NFL career as an undrafted free agent. Now, he is viewed as one of the brightest minds on the defensive side of the ball in College Football. He has been up for multiple NFL jobs and as well as head coaching jobs at the college level the past few seasons but has remained in Madison wanting to stay and bring championships to his alma mater
Instagram: @jrobrien
Twitter: @jrobrien_28
It was widely reported (just last week) that Jim Leonhard was going to stay at Wisconsin under new head coach Luke Fickell. But recently, Leonhard announced th...
It was widely reported (just last week) that Jim Leonhard was going to stay at Wisconsin under new head coach Luke Fickell. But recently, Leonhard announced that he will be leaving the Badgers program... but has not announced where he's going. Obviously he'll have plenty of options, and there are multiple reasons why he may be leaving, but shortly after he announced he was leaving, Wisconsin announced they're hiring Phil Longo (from North Carolina) as their new offensive coordinator. No defensive coordinator in recent memory has had success coaching defense next to Longo's offenses... is it possible that Leonhard decided he didn't want to be paired with an offense that sometimes puts defenses in a bad spot?
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From the Thursday 12/8 full show: https://youtu.be/Zr6w7F2WyS4
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#WinningCuresEverything #CollegeFootball
It was widely reported (just last week) that Jim Leonhard was going to stay at Wisconsin under new head coach Luke Fickell. But recently, Leonhard announced that he will be leaving the Badgers program... but has not announced where he's going. Obviously he'll have plenty of options, and there are multiple reasons why he may be leaving, but shortly after he announced he was leaving, Wisconsin announced they're hiring Phil Longo (from North Carolina) as their new offensive coordinator. No defensive coordinator in recent memory has had success coaching defense next to Longo's offenses... is it possible that Leonhard decided he didn't want to be paired with an offense that sometimes puts defenses in a bad spot?
❗ Get a $50 Free Play when you sign up at BetUS! http://bit.ly/WCE50FREE
From the Thursday 12/8 full show: https://youtu.be/Zr6w7F2WyS4
If you like the video, hit the like button 🖒, subscribe to the channel 🟥
& hit the notification bell 🔔 so you know when we go live!
----------
WCE is powered by BetUS! https://bit.ly/3TLHn2X
🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast: http://bit.ly/WCEpodcasts
🌐 http://www.winningcureseverything.com
🕊️ Twitter: @GaryWCE
👕 Visit the webstore: https://bit.ly/WCEstore
https://valtamerisurfco.com/discount/Gary10
Sign up for FloSports! https://share.flosports.tv/SHZz
👀 Check out Gary on the BetUS College Football Show:
📺 https://bit.ly/WCEBetUSCFB
🎙️ https://pod.link/1581820813
👀 Check out Gary on BetUS TV!
📺 http://www.BetUSTV.com
#WinningCuresEverything #CollegeFootball
Jim Leonhard has had to work for everything throughout his career from being a Walk-on at Wisconsin to putting together an impressive 10 year NFL career as an u...
Jim Leonhard has had to work for everything throughout his career from being a Walk-on at Wisconsin to putting together an impressive 10 year NFL career as an undrafted free agent. Now, he is viewed as one of the brightest minds on the defensive side of the ball in College Football. He has been up for multiple NFL jobs and as well as head coaching jobs at the college level the past few seasons but has remained in Madison wanting to stay and bring championships to his alma mater
Instagram: @jrobrien
Twitter: @jrobrien_28
Jim Leonhard has had to work for everything throughout his career from being a Walk-on at Wisconsin to putting together an impressive 10 year NFL career as an undrafted free agent. Now, he is viewed as one of the brightest minds on the defensive side of the ball in College Football. He has been up for multiple NFL jobs and as well as head coaching jobs at the college level the past few seasons but has remained in Madison wanting to stay and bring championships to his alma mater
Instagram: @jrobrien
Twitter: @jrobrien_28
It was widely reported (just last week) that Jim Leonhard was going to stay at Wisconsin under new head coach Luke Fickell. But recently, Leonhard announced that he will be leaving the Badgers program... but has not announced where he's going. Obviously he'll have plenty of options, and there are multiple reasons why he may be leaving, but shortly after he announced he was leaving, Wisconsin announced they're hiring Phil Longo (from North Carolina) as their new offensive coordinator. No defensive coordinator in recent memory has had success coaching defense next to Longo's offenses... is it possible that Leonhard decided he didn't want to be paired with an offense that sometimes puts defenses in a bad spot?
❗ Get a $50 Free Play when you sign up at BetUS! http://bit.ly/WCE50FREE
From the Thursday 12/8 full show: https://youtu.be/Zr6w7F2WyS4
If you like the video, hit the like button 🖒, subscribe to the channel 🟥
& hit the notification bell 🔔 so you know when we go live!
----------
WCE is powered by BetUS! https://bit.ly/3TLHn2X
🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast: http://bit.ly/WCEpodcasts
🌐 http://www.winningcureseverything.com
🕊️ Twitter: @GaryWCE
👕 Visit the webstore: https://bit.ly/WCEstore
https://valtamerisurfco.com/discount/Gary10
Sign up for FloSports! https://share.flosports.tv/SHZz
👀 Check out Gary on the BetUS College Football Show:
📺 https://bit.ly/WCEBetUSCFB
🎙️ https://pod.link/1581820813
👀 Check out Gary on BetUS TV!
📺 http://www.BetUSTV.com
#WinningCuresEverything #CollegeFootball
Jim Leonhard has had to work for everything throughout his career from being a Walk-on at Wisconsin to putting together an impressive 10 year NFL career as an undrafted free agent. Now, he is viewed as one of the brightest minds on the defensive side of the ball in College Football. He has been up for multiple NFL jobs and as well as head coaching jobs at the college level the past few seasons but has remained in Madison wanting to stay and bring championships to his alma mater
Instagram: @jrobrien
Twitter: @jrobrien_28
Leonhard played high school football at Flambeau High School in Tony, Wisconsin where he was the starting quarterback and strong safety. During his freshman year, 1997, the Flambeau Falcons won the Wisconsin state championship in football in division six over River Ridge high school. Leonhard was a team captain in his junior and senior seasons, the same seasons in which he was a first team All-State performer. He was also named team MVP in his senior year.
College career
Leonhard was a walk-on football player at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, having received no Division 1-A scholarship offers out of high school. He was not awarded a scholarship until his senior year, despite the fact that he had been a regular starting safety before that season and had already been named All-Big Ten twice. Noted for his speed, leaping ability, and sure tackling, he totaled 21 interceptions (tied with Jamar Fletcher for the most in school history) and made 281 tackles. He held the Big Ten Conference career punt return yardage record with 1,347 yards until Michigan's Steve Breaston eclipsed his mark in 2006.
Jim Irsay confirmed Sunday night that he would retain ChrisBallard and Shane Steichen for the 2025 season, leaving one glaring name that would be the scapegoat ... Jim Leonhard, Denver Broncos defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator.
[He was] one of the biggest hitters you’ll ever see as a football player, so I think he transfers that kind of a mindset to the way he coaches.”Jim Leonhard, Broncos defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator.
A look at how the Broncos’ rookies played in their 30-24 overtime loss to Bengals on Saturday afternoon. Highlight. Bo Nix gave Denver hope throughout the second half ... Take Our Poll ... Jim Leonhard on Denver’s talented young cornerbacks ... Renck.
Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Bengals in Cincinnati.Live updates. Pre-game updates. Scouting report (10 a.m.) ... ParkerGabriel, beat writer ...Troy Renck, columnist ... Jim Leonhard on Denver’s talented young cornerbacks.
Jim Leonhard is eager to come into work every day ... “There’s a lot of excitement within the organization,” Leonhard told The Denver Post ... “He’s powerful,” Leonhard told The Post.
Bo Nix turned, looked to his right and threw his hands in the air as a gaping hole came into his periphery ... quality defense and a strong run game ... Denver DBs coach Jim Leonhard believes team is building strong foundation at cornerback Denver Broncos..
Himself ... 2) ... 2, 2024 ... How he talks to them, how he handles them, how he sells a game plan,” secondary coach Jim Leonhard told The Post recently ... “Some guys emotionally are up and down and left and right and he’s just very consistent,” Leonhard said ... ....
This was not Jonathan Taylor dropping the ball at the goal line for a game-turning fumble ... “You’re proud of him because of the work he’s put in,” secondary coach Jim Leonhard told The Post before Sunday’s game ... Renck ... P.J.
Kris Abrams-Draine’s first defensive snap of his NFL career was a doozy. First, the situation ... He thought it was secondary coach Jim Leonhard who told him he was going in the game, but even that he wasn’t entirely sure of ... 15 against Indianapolis.
He was dismissed from the Badgers team in 2022 by interim coach Jim Leonhard after an incident at practice, a revelation that came shortly after he announced he was transferring ...It's not the only NFL news for a former Badgers player who transferred.
Brandon Jones made the play of Denver’s win Sunday at Las Vegas...Jones, though, was no guarantee to play in the first place ... And similar with P.J ... Our (coaches) on defense, Vance (Joseph) and Jim Leonhard and all those guys, are doing a fantastic job.
From 2015-21, former head coach Paul Chryst was 6-0 against Nebraska and then Jim Leonhard, who led a top-level defense for years at Wisconsin, won his one game as interim head coach against Nebraska in 2022 when he replaced the fired Chryst.