Jim Leonhard

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1982)}} {{for|other American football players|Jim Leonard (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Jim Leonhard | image = Jim Leonhard.JPG | image_size = | alt = | caption = Leonhard with the Denver Broncos in 2012 | current_team = Buffalo Bills | position = Defensive Coordinator | career_position = FS | career_number = 42, 36, 35, 30 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|10|27|mf=y}} | birth_place = Ladysmith, Wisconsin, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 8 | weight_lbs = 188 | high_school = Flambeau {{avoid wrap|(Tony, Wisconsin)}} | college = Wisconsin (2001–2004) | undraftedyear = 2005 | pastteams = * Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2005}}–{{NFL Year|2007}}) * Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2008}}) * New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2009}}–{{NFL Year|2011}}) * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2012}}) * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2013}})* * Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2013}}) * Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2014}}) | pastcoaching = * Wisconsin (2016) Defensive backs coach * Wisconsin (2017–2022) Defensive coordinator & defensive backs coach * Wisconsin (2022) Interim head coach * Illinois (2023) Senior football analyst * Denver Broncos ({{nfly|2024}}) Defensive backs coach & pass game coordinator * Denver Broncos ({{nfly|2025}}) Assistant head coach & pass game coordinator * Buffalo Bills ({{nfly|2026}}–present) Defensive coordinator | highlights = * 2× Second-team All-American (2002, 2004) * 3× First-team All-Big Ten (2002-2004) | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 431 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = 4.5 | statlabel3 = Forced fumbles | statvalue3 = 3 | statlabel4 = Interceptions | statvalue4 = 14 | statlabel5 = Return yards | statvalue5 = 1,277 | statlabel6 = Total touchdowns | statvalue6 = 1 | regular_record =  | playoff_record =  | overall_record = NCAA: {{Winning percentage|4|3|record=y}}  | pfr = L/LeonJi23 | pfrcoach = LeonJi1 }}

'''James Andrew Leonhard''' (born October 27, 1982) is an American professional football coach and former player who is the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL).<ref>https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-hire-former-buffalo-safety-jim-leonhard-as-defensive-coordinator</ref> He played professionally in the NFL as a safety for 10 seasons.

Leonhard played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. He also played in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Broncos, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns.

==Early life== Leonhard played high school football at Flambeau High School in Tony, Wisconsin,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Landgrebe |first1=Jeremy |title=Jim Leonhard's former high school coach reacts to Badgers news |url=https://www.wqow.com/news/chippewa-valley/jim-leonhards-former-high-school-coach-reacts-to-badgers-news/article_6aaafac6-442d-11ed-a6d4-1fc1180bc978.html |access-date=February 21, 2023 |work=WQOW |date=October 4, 2022 |language=en |quote="Leonhard grew up in Tony and played at Flambeau High School from 1996 to 2000 where he won a state championship." |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004225157/https://www.wqow.com/news/chippewa-valley/jim-leonhards-former-high-school-coach-reacts-to-badgers-news/article_6aaafac6-442d-11ed-a6d4-1fc1180bc978.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="herald-legendary-history">{{cite news |last1=Scales |first1=Doug |title=Football: Wisconsin’s legendary history of walk-on stars |url=https://badgerherald.com/sports/2022/10/24/football-wisconsins-legendary-history-of-walk-on-stars/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |work=The Badger Herald |date=October 24, 2022 |archive-date=December 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220064847/https://badgerherald.com/sports/2022/10/24/football-wisconsins-legendary-history-of-walk-on-stars/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oxley |first1=Jim |title=Wisconsin Football Countdown: No. 18, Jim Leonhard |url=https://badgerofhonor.com/2015/08/18/wisconsin-football-countdown-no-18-jim-leonhard/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |work=Badger of Honor |date=August 18, 2015 |quote="Leonhard didn’t earn a scholarship at UW until his senior season, despite being a starter as a sophomore and a junior." |archive-date=July 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714115858/http://badgerofhonor.com/2015/08/18/wisconsin-football-countdown-no-18-jim-leonhard/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Noted for his speed, leaping ability, and sure tackling, Leonhard totaled 21 interceptions (tied with Jamar Fletcher for the most in school history)<ref name="nbc15-departure">{{cite news |last1=Tornabene |first1=Juliana |title=Jim Leonhard announces departure from UW-Madison football program |url=https://www.nbc15.com/2022/12/07/jim-leonhard-announces-departure-uw-madison-football-program/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |work=NBC 15 |publisher=Gray Television, Inc. |date=December 6, 2022 |language=en |quote="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." |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208005723/https://www.nbc15.com/2022/12/07/jim-leonhard-announces-departure-uw-madison-football-program/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and made 281 tackles. He held the Big Ten Conference career punt return yardage record with 1,347 yards<ref name="nbc15-departure" /> until Michigan's Steve Breaston eclipsed his mark in 2006.

==Professional career== thumb|150px|left|Leonhard with the Ravens. {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 8 3/8 | weight = 191 | dash = 4.63 | bench = 19 | arm span = 29 3/4 | hand span = 9 1/4 | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=54360&DraftYear=2005 |title=2005 Draft Scout Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |access-date=February 20, 2023 |website=draftscout.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=7173 |title=Jim Leonhard, Combine Results, FS - Wisconsin |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=February 20, 2023}}</ref> }}

===Buffalo Bills (first stint)=== Leonhard was the only undrafted rookie on the 53-man opening day roster for the 2005 Bills.<ref name="herald-legendary-history" /> He played in 10 games, finishing with one kick return for 36 yards.

Leonhard 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 one 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, two interceptions, three passes defended and one 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,<ref>{{cite web |title=NFF National Scholar-Athletes: Jim Leonhard |url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_scholars.aspx?hof=117 |website=National Football Foundation |access-date=February 21, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221011327/https://footballfoundation.org/hof_scholars.aspx?hof=117 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Clayton's Two TDs Helps Ravens Cruise Past Bengals |url=https://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8863436 |agency=Associated Press |date=November 30, 2008 |access-date=December 1, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===New York Jets=== thumb|right|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Twofer: Leonhard Signs, Richardson Re-Ups |url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show/2882-twofer-leonhard-signs-richardson-re-ups |work=New York Jets |date=March 3, 2009 |access-date=September 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902065836/http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show/2882-twofer-leonhard-signs-richardson-re-ups |archive-date=September 2, 2009 }}</ref> Terms were $6 million for 3 years with $1 million guaranteed.<ref>{{cite news | title = Jets' Leonhard: From College Walk-on to Big Bucks | first = Erik | last = Boland | url = http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets-leonhard-from-college-walk-on-to-big-bucks-1.896325 | newspaper = Newsday | date = March 4, 2009 | access-date = September 13, 2009 | archive-date = October 1, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171001031148/http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets-leonhard-from-college-walk-on-to-big-bucks-1.896325 | url-status = dead }}</ref> 150px|thumbnail|left|While with the New York Jets. During the 2009 year, Leonhard started all 16 games making 66 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception, six passes defended and one 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, one interception, four passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. The Jets would go to the playoffs 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Armstrong|first=Kevin|title=NY Jets will let safety and Rex Ryan favorite Jim Leonhard go after back-to-back major knee injuries|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-safety-rex-ryan-favority-jim-leonhard-back-to-back-major-knee-injuries-article-1.1117400?localLinksEnabled=false#commentpostform|access-date=July 19, 2012|newspaper=The New York Daily News|date=July 19, 2012|archive-date=January 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112210055/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-safety-rex-ryan-favority-jim-leonhard-back-to-back-major-knee-injuries-article-1.1117400?localLinksEnabled=false#commentpostform|url-status=live}}</ref> Leonhard played 13 games in 2011 making 48 tackles, one interception, six passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

===Denver Broncos=== In August 2012, Leonhard agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos.<ref>{{cite web |title=Broncos, S Jim Leonhard agree to terms on 1-year deal |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/19727495/broncos-s-jim-leonhard-agree-to-terms-on-1year-deal |work=CBS Sports |author=Wilson, Ryan |date=August 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205181811/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/19727495/broncos-s-jim-leonhard-agree-to-terms-on-1year-deal |archive-date=December 5, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the 2012 season with the Broncos, Leonhard made 17 tackles and had two interceptions, three passes defended and one fumble recovery in 16 games (one start).

===New Orleans Saints=== In April 2013, Leonhard signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.<ref>Holder, Larry. (April 8, 2013). [http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2013/04/new_orleans_saints_sign_vetera_4.html "New Orleans Saints sign veteran safety Jim Leonhard to one-year deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409234939/http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2013/04/new_orleans_saints_sign_vetera_4.html |date=April 9, 2013 }}". ''Times-Picayune''. Retrieved April 8, 2013.</ref> He was released before the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/31/saints-part-ways-with-courtney-roby-jim-leonhard/|title=Saints part ways with Courtney Roby, Jim Leonhard|last=Florio|first=Mike|date=August 31, 2013|publisher=Pro Football Talk|access-date=September 2, 2013|archive-date=September 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903063433/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/31/saints-part-ways-with-courtney-roby-jim-leonhard/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Buffalo Bills (second stint)=== Leonhard signed a contract with the Bills in September 2013, returning to the club where he started his professional career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/64182/bills-to-sign-safety-jim-leonhard|title=Bills sign safety Jim Leonhard|last=Rodak|first=Mike|date=September 2, 2013|publisher=ESPN|access-date=September 2, 2013|archive-date=March 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306212128/http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/64182/bills-to-sign-safety-jim-leonhard|url-status=live}}</ref> During his first season back with Buffalo in 2013, Leonhard made 41 tackles, four interceptions and five passes defended in 16 games (six starts).

===Cleveland Browns=== In 2014, Leonhard joined the Cleveland Browns. He made 27 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and three passes defensed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/z100radio/photos/a.431176855791.227174.46676830791/10152567883995792/?type=1&theater |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/46676830791/10152567883995792 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Jim Leonhard signs with Browns|date=July 30, 2014|publisher=Z100 Radio|access-date=July 30, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Leonhard retired following the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-1/Jim-Leonhard-set-to-retire-after-Sunday%E2%80%99s-game-against-Baltimore/29748913-0157-44fe-9333-1a0a79f03f93 |title=Jim Leonhard set to retire after Sunday's game against Baltimore |author=Kevin Jones |date=December 26, 2014 |publisher=Cleveland Browns |work=www.clevelandbrowns.com |access-date=February 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225072730/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-1/Jim-Leonhard-set-to-retire-after-Sunday%E2%80%99s-game-against-Baltimore/29748913-0157-44fe-9333-1a0a79f03f93 |archive-date=December 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==NFL career statistics== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2"| Legend |- | '''Bold''' | Career high |}

{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="3"| Fumbles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions |- ! G !! GS !! Comb !! Total !! Ast !! Sack !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! PD |- ! 2005 !! BUF | 10 || 0 || 5 || 1 || 4 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2006 !! BUF | 15 || 1 || 13 || 11 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2007 !! BUF | 13 || 6|| 54 || 44 || 10 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 60 || 30 || 36 || 0 || 3 |- ! 2008 !! BAL | 16 || 13 || 69 || 55 || 14 || 1.0 || 0 || '''1''' || 0 || 1 || 35 || 35 || 35 || '''1''' || '''6''' |- ! 2009 !! NYJ | 16 || 16 || '''76''' || 53 || '''23''' || '''2.5''' || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 1 || 44 || '''44''' || '''44''' || 0 || 5 |- ! 2010 !! NYJ | 11 || 11 || 61 || '''57''' || 4 || 0.0 || '''1''' || '''1''' || -1 || 1 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 0 || 4 |- ! 2011 !! NYJ | 13 || 13 || 48 || 38 || 10 || 0.0 || '''1''' || '''1''' || '''3''' || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''6''' |- ! 2012 !! DEN | 16 || 1 || 18 || 13 || 5 || 0.0 || 0 || '''1''' || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 |- ! 2013 !! BUF | 16 || 7 || 41 || 30 || 11 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''4''' || '''72''' || 18 || 41 || 0 || '''6''' |- ! 2014 !! CLE | 16 || 5 || 43 || 27 || 16 || 1.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 34 || 17 || 34 || 0 || 3 |- |- class="sortbottom" ! colspan=2|Career || 142 || 73 || 428 || 329 || 99 || 4.5 || 3 || 5 || 2 || 14 || 247 || 17.6 || 44 || 1 || 35 |}<ref name=ESPN>{{cite web|title=Jim Leonhard Stats|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/9266/jim-leonhard|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=July 14, 2019|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714094112/https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/9266/jim-leonhard|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Coaching career==

=== Wisconsin === In February 2016, Leonhard joined Paul Chryst's staff at his alma mater as defensive backs coach.<ref>Potrykus, Jeff [http://www.jsonline.com/sports/badgers/former-uw-safety-jim-leonhard-to-coach-badgers-secondary-b99673738z1-369510052.html Former UW safety Jim Leonhard to coach Badgers' secondary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222093947/http://www.jsonline.com/sports/badgers/former-uw-safety-jim-leonhard-to-coach-badgers-secondary-b99673738z1-369510052.html |date=February 22, 2016 }} ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. February 20, 2016</ref><ref>Lucas, Mike [http://uwbadgers.com/news/2016/2/18/FB_0218165355.aspx All in the Family: Leonhard back with Badgers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222110229/http://uwbadgers.com/news/2016/2/18/FB_0218165355.aspx |date=February 22, 2016 }} University of Wisconsin. February 20, 2016</ref> 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.<ref>Galloway, Jason [http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/college/football/badgers-football-uw-s-defensive-backs-buy-into-jim-leonhard/article_e87fb82e-55bd-5272-9fb0-7e365760f34a.html Badgers football: UW's defensive backs buy into Jim Leonhard’s NFL experience] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425050930/http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/college/football/badgers-football-uw-s-defensive-backs-buy-into-jim-leonhard/article_e87fb82e-55bd-5272-9fb0-7e365760f34a.html |date=April 25, 2016 }} ''Wisconsin State Journal''. March 22, 2016</ref>

In February 2017, Leonhard was named the new defensive coordinator of the Badgers, replacing Justin Wilcox, who became the new head coach of California.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/jim-leonhard-promoted-to-wisconsin-dc-two-years-after-retiring-from-nfl/ |title=Jim Leonhard promoted to Wisconsin DC two years after retiring from NFL |date=February 2, 2017 |author=Adam Silverstein |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=www.cbssports.com |access-date=February 3, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203174914/http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/jim-leonhard-promoted-to-wisconsin-dc-two-years-after-retiring-from-nfl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In late November 2017, Leonhard was named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award which recognized the top assistant coach in college football.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/11/27/wisconsins-jim-leonhard-a-finalist-for-top-assistant-award/108078168/ |title=Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard a finalist for top assistant award |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=USA Today |date=November 27, 2017 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315091700/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/11/27/wisconsins-jim-leonhard-a-finalist-for-top-assistant-award/108078168/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

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,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Brandon |title=Wisconsin to Hire Luke Fickell as New Head Coach |url=https://nittanysportsnow.com/2022/11/wisconsin-to-hire-luke-fickell-as-new-head-coach/ |access-date=February 21, 2023 |work=Nittany Sports Now |date=November 27, 2022 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201044536/https://nittanysportsnow.com/2022/11/wisconsin-to-hire-luke-fickell-as-new-head-coach/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Leonhard announced that he would be leaving Wisconsin at the end of the 2022 football season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reigstad |first1=Logan |title=Jim Leonhard announces he’s leaving Badgers after bowl game |url=https://www.channel3000.com/sports/wisconsin-badgers/jim-leonhard-announces-he-s-leaving-badgers-after-bowl-game/article_95696554-79fe-5675-850d-dab76007f170.html |access-date=February 21, 2023 |work=Channel3000.com |date=December 6, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221011334/https://www.channel3000.com/sports/wisconsin-badgers/jim-leonhard-announces-he-s-leaving-badgers-after-bowl-game/article_95696554-79fe-5675-850d-dab76007f170.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Illinois === On July 25, 2023, Illinois announced they had hired Leonhard as a senior football analyst.<ref>[https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2023/07/25/jim-leonhard-hired-by-illinois-after-successful-tenure-with-wisconsin/70463743007/ "Jim Leonhard, former Badgers star assistant and interim head coach, hired by Big Ten rival"] ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved July 26, 2023.</ref>

=== Denver Broncos === On February 14, 2024, Leonhard was named as defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator for the Denver Broncos.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-name-pete-carmichael-as-senior-offensive-assistant-jim-leonhard-as-defensive-pass-game-coordinator-defensive-backs-1 |title=Broncos name Pete Carmichael as Senior Offensive Assistant, Jim Leonhard as Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs |website=DenverBroncos.com |date=February 14, 2024 |access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref>

On March 6, 2025, Leonhard was promoted to assistant head coach, while remaining the defensive pass game coordinator.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=DiLalla |first=Aric |date=2025-03-06 |title=Broncos announce updates to 2025 coaching staff |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-announce-updates-to-2025-coaching-staff |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=Denver Broncos |language=}}</ref>

=== Buffalo Bills === On January 31, 2026, Leonhard joined the Buffalo Bills as their defensive coordinator, under head coach Joe Brady.<ref>{{cite web|first=Alec|last=White|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-hire-former-buffalo-safety-jim-leonhard-as-defensive-coordinator|title=Bills hire former Buffalo safety Jim Leonhard as defensive coordinator|date=January 31, 2026|access-date=January 31, 2026|website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref>

==Head coaching record== ===College=== {{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subhead | name = Wisconsin Badgers | conf = Big Ten Conference | startyear = 2022 | endyear = single }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2022 | name = Wisconsin | overall = 4–3{{efn|Served as interim head coach after Paul Chryst was fired after 5 games.|group=record|name=2022wisc}} | conference = 4–3 | confstanding = 5th {{small|(West)}} | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = no | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Wisconsin | overall = 4–3 | confrecord = 4–3 }} {{CFB Yearly Record End | overall = 4–3 | bowls = no | poll = no | polltype = | legend = no }} {{notelist|group=record}}

==References==

==External links== {{commons}} * [https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/jim-leonhard/1965 Wisconsin Badgers bio] * [https://www.denverbroncos.com/team/coaches-roster/jim-leonhard Denver Broncos coaching profile]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leonhard, Jim}} Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:American football safeties Category:Baltimore Ravens players Category:Buffalo Bills coaches Category:Buffalo Bills players Category:Cleveland Browns players Category:Denver Broncos coaches Category:Denver Broncos players Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:New York Jets players Category:Wisconsin Badgers football coaches Category:Wisconsin Badgers football players Category:People from Ladysmith, Wisconsin Category:Coaches of American football from Wisconsin Category:Players of American football from Wisconsin Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football coaches