OT - Wisconsin’s interim HC Jim Leonhard intends to remain on Luke Fickell’s staff
LINK.
It looks like Jim Leonhard has decided to return to Wisconsin under Luke Fickell, and likely going back to being the team’s DC.
It may be interesting if rumors of Michigan’s pursuit of Braelon Allen has any semblance of truth, as Allen implied he’d stay if Leonhard stayed.
December 3rd, 2022 at 4:32 PM ^
This is only funny because this was a new direction blah blah blah.
December 3rd, 2022 at 4:41 PM ^
Have some pride. Go somewhere else and vow vengance on them for rejecting you.
December 3rd, 2022 at 4:48 PM ^
Normally I'm against holding grudges and being this petty, but yeah. At least leave to try gaining some head coach experience at a smaller school.
December 3rd, 2022 at 5:31 PM ^
Didn’t Fickell himself stay on at OSU after his year as interim HC when they passed him over for the full time gig in favor of Urban Meyer?
December 3rd, 2022 at 5:49 PM ^
Staying at a job he enjoyed, that offers clear paths for advancement, and in a place he likes seems to me a reasonable decision.
How does that wound his pride, especially as their choice obviously has much more experience and a record of success?
December 3rd, 2022 at 5:59 PM ^
eh this is a smart move. guaranteed job for a bit. kids stay in same schools. gain experience, move on when ready.
December 3rd, 2022 at 4:42 PM ^
Good for him! That's pretty rare, and great for the program. Glad Fickell offered him like that instead of cleaning house like many coaches do. Smart move.
December 3rd, 2022 at 4:55 PM ^
Makes sense.
December 3rd, 2022 at 6:32 PM ^
Fickell was in a similar position with Meyer in 2012, so this is like paying it forward almost
December 3rd, 2022 at 4:47 PM ^
Didn’t the same sources say he was going to be named HC, just last week?
December 3rd, 2022 at 4:51 PM ^
Just biding his time until the Packers' season is over, and willing to help Luke recruit. This is a typical pre early signing day reassurance for the benefit of the current commits.
He gone.
December 3rd, 2022 at 4:54 PM ^
My understanding is that he has a family and really wants to stay in Madison because of that.
December 3rd, 2022 at 5:54 PM ^
Sure Luke will take his place there as well so maybe not 🤪
December 3rd, 2022 at 6:03 PM ^
Agree. Midwestern values and friends/family in the area. Sometimes the “big promotion” backfires and one is left scrambling - then put the family through another move.
December 3rd, 2022 at 5:00 PM ^
I doubt he has any better options out there
December 3rd, 2022 at 5:04 PM ^
Gonna be weird for a defensive head coach keeping a DC with a different style.
December 3rd, 2022 at 5:24 PM ^
Nice when adults can put ego aside and be adults...that said, Michigan could really use Allen so, "noooooooooo!"
Leonhard should go to Cincinnati!
December 3rd, 2022 at 5:26 PM ^
Hot take: this is really good for Wisconsin. I think there's enough defensive brain power to maintain their defensive prowess despite the regime change. JL also seems to be quite the culture guy if Braelon Allen was willing to transfer if he wasn't retained. They're still going to be in a dog fight with Illinois, Michigan, ND, and national powers for the best players in the Chicago area. It'll only be helpful for them if I had to guess.
December 3rd, 2022 at 6:13 PM ^
Great defensive coach, didn’t get a fair shot at head coach taking over mid year
December 3rd, 2022 at 7:12 PM ^
Maybe his time as a head coach convinced him he didn't want to be one.
December 3rd, 2022 at 5:26 PM ^
Good head coach and DC.
December 3rd, 2022 at 7:08 PM ^
At this point in his career, he’s a better DC than Head Coach. Heck, after this taste of head coaching, he may have pulled himself out of consideration for Wisconsin’s job.
December 3rd, 2022 at 6:34 PM ^
I am happy he stayed. I was afraid that a BIG school would pick him up. I know of at least two schools that could use a new DC
December 3rd, 2022 at 7:07 PM ^
Smart move for both guys.
Leonard will have his time.
December 3rd, 2022 at 7:39 PM ^
Agree, he got a taste as a HC and can wait for the right opportunity. His continuity is a pretty valuable bridge for the program right now.
December 3rd, 2022 at 7:55 PM ^
I don't pay enough attention to Wisconsin, but is Leonard that good of a coach or is it all just who he was as a player?
December 3rd, 2022 at 8:10 PM ^
Fickell would be the one to sell it or him, wouldn’t he?
December 3rd, 2022 at 8:31 PM ^
Wrong thread. Oops.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:13 AM ^
Lincoln Riley and the USC money people should be flying a jet to Madison and showing Leonhard real estate flier of homes on the beach and checks with big numbers.