Report: Philadelphia Eagles interview Jim Leonhard for defensive coordinator position
Former Wisconsin interim head coach Jim Leonhard interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles for the team’s vacant defensive coordinator job, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“The #Eagles have interviewed former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard as they look to fill their DC job, per league source,” Fowler wrote on Twitter. “Leonhard was a 10-year NFL safety who is respected in league circles.”
Leonhard was a candidate for the Wisconsin head coaching job, but the school elected to hire Luke Fickell. Fickell concluded a highly successful tenure at Cincinnati.
Leonhard took over for Paul Chryst in the middle of the 2022 season and went 5-3 as interim head coach and won the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
After his playing career from 2005-14 in the NFL, Leonard rejoined his alma mater in 2016 as a defensive backs coach and rose up the ranks.
Former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon left Philadelphia right after the Super Bowl LVII loss and accepted the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job. The Eagles reportedly offered Gannon more than just “head coaching money” in an attempt to keep continuity on the staff.
More about Jim Leonhard
Jim Leonhard left the Wisconsin program after the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, he announced. Leonhard originally considered serving as the defensive coordinator but left Luke Fickell’s staff after releasing a statement.
“It has meant the world to me to be able to pour my heart and soul into the UW Football program over the last seven years,” Leonhard said. “After discussions with my family and Coach Fickell, I will remain the DC through the bowl game but no longer be part of the staff at the conclusion of the 2022 season. It has been an honor to coach these young men and thank you to all the fans who supported us along the way. On Wisconsin!”
Wisconsin decided to move on from Paul Chryst in the middle of the 2022 season, starting with two wins in the first three games. Leonhard was dubbed the interim head coach and closed out just above .500 on the season, going 4-3.
Players in Madison were big fans of the defensive coordinator/interim head coach, with some wanting him to take over full-time. Leonhard was a Badger through and through, playing under Barry Alverez in the early 2000s before heading off to the NFL.