![]() The fact that rumor sprouted up is surprising to me … especially Michigan specifically." That's all we can do at this point, and, like I said, it's unfortunate that a kid has to address that with the media when it's not supposed to be real, right, but obviously it is."ĭuring an appearance on 97.3 The Game in Milwaukee (h/t Potrykus) earlier this week, Allen addressed the rumors of him potentially entering the transfer portal, noting that as long as Leonhard remains head coach, he'll remain at Wisconsin. It's why we have these conversations almost daily with our team about where we're going, what the plan is and how we're going to get there. I've mentioned it a number of times, the uncertainty is going to cause people to look and see what the best decisions for their future are, and we have to be real about that as coaches. "It's unfortunate to see where it's at, but I have to continue to show a clear vision. "I would never accuse any teams of tampering with your players," Leonhard said after the Badgers' 24-10 loss to Iowa on Saturday, via Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "but teams are tampering with other teams’ players." Bielema and linebackers coach Andy Buh also worked together at Wisconsin in 2012.Wisconsin Badgers interim head coach Jim Leonhard addressed the rumors that running back Braelon Allen was considering transferring to Michigan on Saturday. Offensive line coach Bart Miller worked in the same capacity for Bielema at Wisconsin for most of the 2012 season. ![]() Former Wisconsin defensive back Antonio Fenelus is Bielema’s defensive backs coach. Leonhard’s knowledge and expertise could greatly help Henry. Former Badgers defensive back Aaron Henry was promoted this offseason to serve as Illinois’ defensive coordinator after two seasons as the defensive backs coach. But Bielema also has plenty of familiarity with Leonhard, having served as his defensive coordinator at Wisconsin in 2004 when Leonhard was a senior and earned first-team All-America honors as a safety.īielema has built his staff at Illinois around players and coaches he worked with while head coach at Wisconsin from 2006-12. Landing a coach the caliber of Leonhard in any capacity is a win for Bielema and Illinois. Leonhard’s decision to join the Illinois staff would appear to give him the season to stay in the sport before earning a variety of potential opportunities, either as a defensive coordinator or head coach at the college level or coaching in the NFL. He earned the right to be choosy about his next destination, and some wondered whether he would take the year off, particularly after Leonhard was planning to undergo hip surgery and he and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed not to move forward with him as a candidate for the team’s defensive coordinator job in February. Leonhard, who took over as Wisconsin’s interim coach after five games last season, was passed over for the full-time job in favor of Luke Fickell and opted to move on from the Badgers after the season. Wisconsin consistently ranked among the best nationally in total defense and scoring defense and, in 2021, the Badgers allowed the fewest yards per game (239.1) by an FBS team since 2011. Leonhard served as the Badgers’ defensive backs coach in 2016, two years after retiring from a 10-year NFL career, and was promoted to defensive coordinator the following season. He established himself as one of the top assistant coaches in college football during a seven-year run at Wisconsin. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more overqualified person to serve in the role of senior football analyst than Leonhard. Welcome to the #famILLy, Jim Leonhard! #Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy /EpTWrCrhVf Former Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst was fired the day after a 34-10 loss to Illinois last year. Leonhard was a three-time All-American safety at Wisconsin, and current Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was the defensive coordinator for his senior season.The 40-year-old Leonhard was passed over for the permanent head coaching job at Wisconsin when the Badgers hired Luke Fickell.Illinois has hired former Wisconsin defensive coordinator/interim head coach Jim Leonhard as a senior football analyst.
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