The Eagles have been looking for a new defensive coordinator since former DC Jonathan Gannon accepted the head coaching gig for the Arizona Cardinals last week. They have been connected to in-house candidate Dennard Wilson and external names such as Sean Desai, Vance Joseph, and most recently former Wisconsin DC and interim HC Jim Leonhard.
Who is Jim Leonhard?
Jim Leonhard is a former NFL player and current football coach who has gained recognition for his defensive coaching abilities. He was most recently the defensive coordinator and interim head coach for the Wisconsin Badgers football team, a position he held since 2017. Leonhard is widely regarded as one of the top defensive coordinators in college football and has been a finalist for the Broyles Award, which goes to the top assistant coach in college football.
Leonhard’s coaching style is based on a 3-4 scheme, but his defense deploys various fronts, including a 2-4-5 and a 3-3-5. He has had great success at Wisconsin, with the Badgers ranking among the nation’s top five in total defense and top 10 in scoring defense four times during his five-year tenure as defensive coordinator.
In 2021, Leonhard was offered a job as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, but he turned down the position to remain at Wisconsin. Despite this, there have been persistent rumors that Leonhard is interested in an NFL coordinator position and has been considered for roles with several teams, including the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins.
It is worth noting that Leonhard has a separation agreement with Wisconsin that will pay him $1 million if he does not land an FBS or NFL coaching job, which suggests that he is actively seeking an NFL coordinator position.
Leonhard is a highly respected defensive coach who has been successful at the college level, particularly in his role as defensive coordinator for the Wisconsin Badgers. While he turned down a job as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers in 2021, he has been linked to several NFL coordinator positions and has expressed interest in coaching at the professional level. With his track record of success and innovative defensive schemes, he could be a valuable addition to an NFL coaching staff, especially one in Philadelphia with no lack of playmakers on defense.
