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With Jonathan Gannon off to Arizona to be the head coach of the Cardinals, the Philadelphia Eagles are actually available in the market for a brand new defensive coordinator. In response to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the latest 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-Massive Ten and All-American security thrice. He was additionally a wonderful punt returner. After going undrafted in 2005, Leonhard nonetheless made the Buffalo Bills 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 grew to become the defensive backs coach at his alma mater. After one season he was promoted to defensive coordinator, the place he led the most effective defenses within the nation from 2017 to 2022. Midway by the 2022 season, Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst was fired and Leonhard grew to become 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 workers, Leonhard determined to stroll away and, allegedly, take a while off from teaching.
In response to his bio on Wisconsin’s website:
In Leonhard’s 5 seasons as defensive coordinator, UW has ranked among the many nation’s prime 5 in complete protection and prime 10 in scoring protection 4 instances. Throughout that point, the Badgers rank third in scoring protection (17.3 factors per recreation), first in complete yards allowed (284.8 yards per recreation), first in move effectivity protection (110.5), third in speeding protection (103.4 ypg) and first in opponents’ third down conversions (30.5%). Wisconsin has compelled 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 varied NFL jobs, together with the Green 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 wonderful rent for the Birds and would assist enhance a gifted secondary and would maintain the vaunted move rush intact.
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