Hold onto your helmets, football fans, because Jim Leonhard’s coaching journey is taking a thrilling turn—and it’s one you won’t want to miss. The former Wisconsin Badgers star is now making waves in the NFL, but where exactly is he interviewing? Let’s dive in.
It’s been a whirlwind week for Leonhard, who’s already a key figure on the Denver Broncos’ coaching staff—the AFC’s top-seeded team gearing up for a playoff showdown on January 17. But here’s where it gets even more exciting: Leonhard has thrown his hat into the ring for an NFL defensive coordinator position, a move that could redefine his already impressive career.
The Wisconsin native has been a busy man, racking up at least two interviews this week. As the Broncos’ assistant head coach and pass game coordinator, he’s now in the running for open positions with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets. But here’s where it gets controversial: both teams had the NFL’s two worst scoring defenses in 2025. Can Leonhard turn things around?
Leonhard wasn’t alone in these interviews—he was one of eight candidates virtually meeting with the Jets, alongside Packers defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington, who’s also eyeing both roles. If Leonhard lands one of these gigs, it’ll be a monumental step in his coaching career, especially after just two seasons with the Broncos, who boast one of the league’s most formidable defenses.
Let’s rewind a bit. In 2024, Leonhard, a former All-American defensive back at Wisconsin (2001-2004), joined the Broncos as their defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator. By 2025, he’d added assistant head coach to his resume, all while maintaining his role as defensive pass game coordinator. But this isn’t his first rodeo running a defense. From 2017 to 2022, Leonhard was the Badgers’ defensive coordinator, leading them to top-five total defense and top-10 scoring defense rankings four times in five seasons.
And remember that brief stint as Wisconsin’s interim head coach in 2022? After Paul Chryst’s firing, Leonhard stepped up, only to later be passed over for Luke Fickell, who’s since gone 17-21 in three seasons. Leonhard stayed in college football for one more season, joining Bret Bielema’s staff at Illinois as a senior football analyst in 2023 before making the leap to the NFL.
Leonhard’s story is one of resilience and defying expectations. An undrafted player, he carved out a remarkable 10-year NFL career (2005-2014), playing for five teams, including the Bills, Ravens, Jets, Broncos, and Browns. Just like his college days, where he went from walk-on to All-American, Leonhard has proven he’s a force to be reckoned with.
So, here’s the burning question: Can Jim Leonhard transform a struggling NFL defense into a powerhouse? And which team will give him the chance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to sit out!
