With Jonathan Gannon off to Arizona to be the top coach of the Cardinals, the Philadelphia Eagles at the moment are available in the market for a brand new defensive coordinator. In accordance with a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the newest interviewee is former Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jim Leonhard.
The #Eagles have interviewed former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard as they appear to fill their DC job, per league supply. Leonhard was a 10-year NFL security who’s revered in league circles.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 20, 2023
Leonhard, who began his profession at Wisconsin as a walk-on, performed 4 seasons in Madison and have become an All-Large Ten and All-American security 3 times. He was additionally a superb punt returner. After going undrafted in 2005, Leonhard nonetheless made the Buffalo Payments roster out of coaching camp after which had a 10-year profession within the NFL with the Ravens, Jets, Broncos, and Browns.
After the 2014 season he retired from the NFL, took two years off, after which turned the defensive backs coach at his alma mater. After one season he was promoted to defensive coordinator, the place he led among the finest defenses within the nation from 2017 to 2022. Midway by the 2022 season, Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst was fired and Leonhard turned the interim head coach in Madison.
He helped the struggling Badgers to a 5-3 end on the season and a win within the Assured Charge Bowl over Oklahoma State. It appeared that he was in line to be named the total time head coach, however Wisconsin shocked the school soccer world by hiring Luke Fickell away from Cincinnati. After some deliberations about staying on Fickell’s employees, Leonhard determined to stroll away and, allegedly, take a while off from teaching.
In accordance with his bio on Wisconsin’s web site:
In Leonhard’s 5 seasons as defensive coordinator, UW has ranked among the many nation’s prime 5 in whole protection and prime 10 in scoring protection 4 occasions. Throughout that point, the Badgers rank third in scoring protection (17.3 factors per recreation), first in whole yards allowed (284.8 yards per recreation), first in move effectivity protection (110.5), third in dashing protection (103.4 ypg) and first in opponents’ third down conversions (30.5%). Wisconsin has pressured 112 turnovers over that span, tied for fourth-most amongst Energy 5 Convention groups.
Present Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards excelled in Leonhard’s attacking 3-4 scheme, recording 81 tackles (11 TFL), two sacks, 4 interceptions, seven passes defended, and one touchdowns in 2017 whereas racking up 112 tackles (11.5 TFL), three sacks, three interceptions, two passes defended and one fumble restoration in 2018.
Leonhard has been named to the Broyles Award (given to the nation’s prime assistant) and has been interviewed for numerous NFL jobs, together with the Inexperienced Bay Packers DC opening, over the previous few years. I could also be biased as an Eagles fan who can be a Wisconsin alum, however Leonhard could be a superb rent for the Birds and would assist enhance a proficient secondary and would maintain the vaunted move rush intact.
