ESPN releases Wisconsin head coach hot board after firing of Paul Chryst
Wisconsin shocked the football world on Sunday by parting ways with eighth-year head coach Paul Chryst. With a 72% win rate with the Badgers, Chryst wasn’t at the top of anyone’s hot seat list, despite the program’s stagnation since 2019. ESPN released their list of favorites to take over in Madison on Sunday, topped by one of Wisconsin’s own.
The program’s athletic director Chris McIntosh announced defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will step in as interim head coach as the team finishes the regular season. Leonhard has an opportunity to win over the Wisconsin faithful but McIntosh will conduct a full coaching search as well.
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“The fit Jim brings to this program, his competitiveness, his work ethic, those are all gimmes. His ability to lead and his ability to reach, we were fortunate to have Jimmy on the staff that we’re in a position where we can entrust this level of responsibility and leadership,” McIntosh said Sunday.
Leonhard tops ESPN’s list of candidates to replace Paul Chryst, however, there are several other intriguing options. Check out the full head coaching hot board from senior writer Adam Rittenberg.
Wisconsin head coach hot board
Jim Leonhard (Wisconsin defensive coordinator)
Former Badger Jim Leonhard is just 39 years old and he has already turned down high-profile coordinator jobs and the Green Bay Packers to remain at Wisconsin. The next few weeks as an interim could determine whether he takes the helm or leaves the program for the first time since 2016.
Lance Leipold (Kansas head coach)
Jayhawks skipper Lance Leipold has the college football world on notice after leading his team to their first 5-0 start since 2009. Leipold played his college ball at Wisconsin-Whitewater where he later returned to coach and he was a graduate assistant in Madison in the early 1990s.
Matt Campbell (Iowa State head coach)
Matt Campbell has been on various athletic directors’ radars for several years now since putting the Cyclones as high as No. 9 in the country in 2020. It’s very possible Campbell could land in the Big Ten, whether it’s at Wisconsin or Nebraska.
Bill O’Brien (Alabama offensive coordinator)
With experience as both an NFL and college head coach, Bill O’Brien is going to be in the conversation for a lot of jobs. His name lost some luster after his tenure with the Houston Texans but he’s returned the shine as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator.
More names on ESPN’s list include Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule, NC State coach Dave Doeren and Baylor skipper Dave Arranda. Outside the big names, Kent State coach Sean Lewis, Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock, and former Washington head coach Chris Petersen also made the list.