Jim Leonhard

James Andrew Leonhard (born October 27, 1982) is an American football coach and former player. He's currently a senior football analyst at Illinois. Leonhard played college football at Wisconsin and professionally as safety for ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Leonhard was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2005 after playing college football at the University of Wisconsin. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, and Cleveland Browns.

For other American football players, see Jim Leonard (disambiguation).
Jim Leonhard
refer to caption
Leonhard with the Broncos in 2012
Illinois Fighting Illini
Position:Senior football analyst
Personal information
Born: (1982-10-27) October 27, 1982
Ladysmith, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:188 lb (85 kg)
Career information
High school:Tony (WI) Flambeau
College:Wisconsin (2001–2004)
Undrafted:2005
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
  • Wisconsin (2016)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Wisconsin (2017–2022)
    Defensive coordinator & defensive backs coach
  • Wisconsin (2022)
    Interim head coach
  • Illinois (2023)
    Senior football analyst
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:431
Sacks:4.5
Forced fumbles:3
Interceptions:14
Return yards:1,277
Total touchdowns:1
Head coaching record
Career:NCAA: 4–3 (.571)
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

High school

Leonhard played high school football at Flambeau High School in Tony, Wisconsin,[1] 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. He 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 I-A scholarship offers out of high school.[2] 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.[3] Noted for his speed, leaping ability, and sure tackling, he totaled 21 interceptions (tied with Jamar Fletcher for the most in school history)[4] and made 281 tackles. He held the Big Ten Conference career punt return yardage record with 1,347 yards[4] until Michigan's Steve Breaston eclipsed his mark in 2006.

Professional career
Leonhard with the Ravens.
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dashBench press
5 ft 8+3⁄8 in
(1.74 m)		 191 lb
(87 kg)		 29+3⁄4 in
(0.76 m)		 9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		4.63 s19 reps
All values from NFL Combine[5][6]

Buffalo Bills

Leonhard was the only undrafted rookie on the 53-man opening day roster for the 2005 Bills.[2] He played in 10 games, finishing with 1 kick return for 36 yards.

He was released during the 2006 preseason; however, he was signed 11 days later following an injury to fellow Wisconsin alumnus Troy Vincent. He finished the 2006 season with 13 tackles and 1 fumble recovery while making his first career start on December 10.

In 2007, Leonhard stepped in for injured starter Ko Simpson and recorded 13 tackles on opening day against the Denver Broncos. He went on to record 54 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery, despite being hampered by a calf injury halfway through the season.

Baltimore Ravens

In 2008, Leonhard signed with the Baltimore Ravens, where he started in 13 of 16 regular season games,[7] replacing the injured Dawan Landry. He set career-high marks with 68 tackles and one sack to go along with one interception, which he returned for a TD against the Cincinnati Bengals.[8]

New York Jets
Leonhard with the Jets

In 2009, Leonhard signed with the New York Jets, reuniting him with former Ravens defensive coordinator and later New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan.[9] Terms were $6 million for 3 years with $1 million guaranteed.[10]

While with the New York Jets.

During the 2009 year, Leonhard started all 16 games making 66 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 interception, 6 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble. His efforts led to the Jets going to the play-offs but eventually losing to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game.

On December 3, 2010, Leonhard suffered a fractured tibia after a collision with wide receiver Patrick Turner during practice. He underwent surgery the same night and was ruled out for the rest of the 2010 season. Leonhard played 11 games in 2010 making 56 tackles, 1 interception, 4 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. The Jets would go to the play-offs again but lose the AFC Championship to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 11, 2011, Leonhard landed awkwardly after catching an interception thrown by Tyler Palko. Leonhard was carried off the field by a medical cart. A few days later, an MRI revealed that there was a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. As a result, Leonhard was eliminated for the rest of the 2011 season.[11] Leonhard played 13 games in 2011 making 48 tackles, 1 interception, 6 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.

Denver Broncos

In August 2012, Leonhard agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos.[12] During the 2012 season with the Broncos, Leonhard made 17 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery in 16 games (1 start).

New Orleans Saints

In April 2013, Leonhard signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.[13] He was released before the season.[14]

Second stint with the Buffalo Bills

Leonhard signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills in September 2013, returning to the club where he started his professional career.[15] During his first season back with Buffalo in 2013, Leonhard made 41 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 5 passes defended in 16 games (6 starts).

Cleveland Browns

In 2014, Leonhard joined the Cleveland Browns. He made 27 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions and 3 passes defensed.[16] He retired following the season.[17]

NFL statistics
Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GGSCombTotalAstSackFFFRYdsIntYdsAvgLngTDPD
2005BUF 1005140.0000000000
2006BUF 151131120.0010000000
2007BUF 1365444100.0000260303603
2008BAL 16136955141.0010135353516
2009NYJ 16167653232.5100144444405
2010NYJ 1111615740.011-1122204
2011NYJ 13134838100.0113100006
2012DEN 161181350.0010200002
2013BUF 1674130110.0000472184106
2014CLE 1654327161.0000234173403
Career14273428329994.53521424717.644135

[18]

Coaching

In February 2016, Leonhard joined Paul Chryst's staff at his alma mater as defensive backs coach.[19][20] In his year off between retiring from the NFL and being named DB coach for the Badgers, Leonhard spent his time studying college film with then-Wisconsin Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda and familiarizing himself with schemes that exist in college football that aren't prevalent in the NFL, such as the zone-read option offense. Prior to UW DB coach Daronte Jones leaving UW for an assistant coaching position with the Dolphins, Leonhard had been asking Paul Chryst about joining the Badgers staff.[21]

In February 2017, Leonhard was named the new defensive coordinator of the Badgers, replacing Justin Wilcox, who became the new head coach of California.[22] In late November 2017, Leonhard was named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award which recognized the top assistant coach in college football.[23]

On October 2, 2022, Leonhard was named interim head coach of the Badgers following the firing of Paul Chryst.

After Wisconsin hired Luke Fickell as head coach in November 2022,[24] Leonhard announced that he would be leaving Wisconsin at the end of the 2022 football season.[25]

On July 25, 2023, Illinois announced they had hired Leonhard as a senior football anaylst.[26]

Head coaching record

College
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Wisconsin Badgers (Big Ten Conference) (2022)
2022 Wisconsin 4–3[lower-alpha 1]4–35th (West)
Wisconsin: 4–34–3
Total:4–3
  1. Served as interim head coach after Paul Chryst was fired after 5 games.

References
  1. Landgrebe, Jeremy (4 October 2022). "Jim Leonhard's former high school coach reacts to Badgers news". WQOW. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023. Leonhard grew up in Tony and played at Flambeau High School from 1996 to 2000 where he won a state championship.
  2. Scales, Doug (24 October 2022). "Football: Wisconsin's legendary history of walk-on stars". The Badger Herald. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  3. Oxley, Jim (18 August 2015). "Wisconsin Football Countdown: No. 18, Jim Leonhard". Badger of Honor. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2023. Leonhard didn't earn a scholarship at UW until his senior season, despite being a starter as a sophomore and a junior.
  4. Tornabene, Juliana (6 December 2022). "Jim Leonhard announces departure from UW-Madison football program". NBC 15. Gray Television, Inc. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023. During his time as a student-athlete at Wisconsin Leonhard tallied 21 interceptions, tying Jamar Fletcher's school record. He also broke the Big Ten record with 1,347 career punt return yards.
  5. "2005 Draft Scout Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  6. "Jim Leonhard, Combine Results, FS - Wisconsin". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  7. "NFF National Scholar-Athletes: Jim Leonhard". National Football Foundation. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  8. "Clayton's Two TDs Helps Ravens Cruise Past Bengals". Associated Press. 2008-11-30. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
  9. "Twofer: Leonhard Signs, Richardson Re-Ups". New York Jets. 2009-03-03. Archived from the original on September 2, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  10. Boland, Erik (2009-03-04). "Jets' Leonhard: From College Walk-on to Big Bucks". Newsday. Archived from the original on 2017-10-01. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  11. Armstrong, Kevin (July 19, 2012). "NY Jets will let safety and Rex Ryan favorite Jim Leonhard go after back-to-back major knee injuries". The New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  12. Wilson, Ryan (August 4, 2012). "Broncos, S Jim Leonhard agree to terms on 1-year deal". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  13. Holder, Larry. (April 8, 2013). "New Orleans Saints sign veteran safety Jim Leonhard to one-year deal Archived 2013-04-09 at the Wayback Machine". Times-Picayune. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  14. Florio, Mike (31 August 2013). "Saints part ways with Courtney Roby, Jim Leonhard". Pro Football Talk. Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  15. Rodak, Mike (2 September 2013). "Bills sign safety Jim Leonhard". ESPN. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  16. "Jim Leonhard signs with Browns". Z100 Radio. 30 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  17. Kevin Jones (December 26, 2014). "Jim Leonhard set to retire after Sunday's game against Baltimore". www.clevelandbrowns.com. Cleveland Browns. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  18. "Jim Leonhard Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  19. Potrykus, Jeff Former UW safety Jim Leonhard to coach Badgers' secondary Archived 2016-02-22 at the Wayback Machine Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. February 20, 2016
  20. Lucas, Mike All in the Family: Leonhard back with Badgers Archived 2016-02-22 at the Wayback Machine University of Wisconsin. February 20, 2016
  21. Galloway, Jason Badgers football: UW's defensive backs buy into Jim Leonhard’s NFL experience Archived 2016-04-25 at the Wayback Machine Wisconsin State Journal. March 22, 2016
  22. Adam Silverstein (February 2, 2017). "Jim Leonhard promoted to Wisconsin DC two years after retiring from NFL". www.cbssports.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  23. "Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard a finalist for top assistant award". USA Today. Associated Press. November 27, 2017. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  24. Walker, Brandon (27 November 2022). "Wisconsin to Hire Luke Fickell as New Head Coach". Nittany Sports Now. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  25. Reigstad, Logan (6 December 2022). "Jim Leonhard announces he's leaving Badgers after bowl game". Channel3000.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  26. "Jim Leonhard, former Badgers star assistant and interim head coach, hired by Big Ten rival" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
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