![]() 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. "The fit Jim brings to this program, his competitiveness, his work ethic, those are all gimmes. McIntosh said he owes it to the program to conduct a full coaching search "when the time is right," but he was complimentary of Leonhard and what he means to the program. He has long been viewed as a potential successor to Chryst and is expected to be a candidate for the permanent job. Leonhard, 39, a three-time All-America defensive back at the school who went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL, returned to Wisconsin as an assistant in 2016 and took over as defensive coordinator the following year. Wisconsin's athletic board in January approved the rollover of Chryst's five-year contract through the 2026 season. ![]() "Anyone who wanted Coach Chryst gone isn't a part of this team," star running back Braelon Allen tweeted.Īccording to Chryst's contract, Wisconsin will owe him $16.4 million if he is fired without cause, although McIntosh said the buyout will be "significantly less than the numbers that have been reported" and that specifics will be revealed soon. Nevertheless, Sunday's move came as a surprise. But the program fell off beginning in 2020, going 4-3, before a slow start to the 2021 season, in which the Badgers finished 9-4. He won 10 games or more in four of his first five seasons with the Badgers, winning a Cotton Bowl, an Orange Bowl and three Big Ten West Division titles. 10 as a heavy favorite.Ĭhryst, 56, who was born in Madison, finishes 67-26 in seven-plus seasons at Wisconsin, his alma mater. 24, one of its worst losses in recent memory, and lost 17-14 at home against Washington State on Sept. Wisconsin also fell 52-21 to Ohio State on Sept. The decision to fire Chryst came one day after Wisconsin lost 34-10 to Illinois, coached by former Badgers coach Bret Bielema. But I'm incredibly optimistic that today is the first day of the future of this program." ![]() It's not one I take lightly it's an incredibly tough day for us all. "We just reached a point where today I felt was the right time to make that decision. "It's my role to have the position of our program always on my mind," McIntosh said. McIntosh, Chryst and Leonhard met with the players Sunday night to inform them of the change. "It's a big decision and it's got implications that are not lost on me, but really, really thankful to have been able to work side by side with Coach Chryst through some incredibly exhilarating, positive moments, and some tough ones like today," McIntosh said.ĭefensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will serve as interim coach. Wisconsin fired football coach Paul Chryst on Sunday after the team's 2-3 start.Īthletic director Chris McIntosh said in a news conference Sunday night that he met with Chryst in the morning and had an extensive discussion with him, leading to the decision to make a change. Wisconsin fires football coach Paul Chryst, names defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard interim coach The Eagles have also interviewed Rams defensive backs coach Chris Shula and Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser In the past five seasons combined with Leonhard as defensive coordinator, the Badgers have ranked first in the nation in opponents' yards per game. Wisconsin ranked fourth in the nation in overall team defense in 2021 and third in 2017. His 21 interceptions are still tied with Jamar Fletcher for the most in a Badgers career.Īt UW, Leonhard's success as a defensive coordinator – a position he held since the 2017 season – made him a household name around UW athletics. Leonhard, who played football at Flambeau High School, played safety from 2005-14 in the NFL after a decorated four-year career with the Badgers, emerging from walk-on to indispensable starter to three-time All-American. ![]() ![]() Leonhard looked like a surefire candidate to become the full-time head coach before athletic director Chris McIntosh unveiled another stunner, hiring Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell for the post. Leonhard took over as interim head coach at Wisconsin during the 2022 season, when the school made the surprising move to fire Paul Chryst in early October. ![]()
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