Former Badgers Coach Jim Leonard Accepts Deal To Become Denver Broncos DB Coach

Former Badgers DC Jim Leonard - Photo by FanRag Sports

MADISON, WI (WSAU) – A former Wisconsin Badgers interim head coach and defensive coordinator is heading back to the NFL.

Jim Leonhard, the former interim head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers in 2022, is leaving the University of Illinois to join the Denver Broncos as their new defensive backs coach, according to a report on Sunday by ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

As a player, Leonhard played with the Broncos for a single season in 2012 and was a practice squad member for the New Orleans Saints for a short while in 2013. His longest tenures in the NFL included three seasons with the Buffalo Bills and three seasons with the New York Jets.

He will now work under his former head coach in New Orleans Sean Payton who is current head coach of the Denver Broncos.