Jim Leonhard, a celebrated figure in Wisconsin’s football program, will continue his role as a defensive assistant with the Denver Broncos for the 2025 season, as shared by NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Rapoport noted that Leonhard had attracted attention from at least three teams for defensive coordinator positions. He is expected to stay with Denver after serving as the defensive backs coach during the 2024 season.
The details of his position on the Broncos coaching staff have not yet been disclosed, but it is expected to remain unchanged, as defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is anticipated to return in 2025.
Leonhard seems to be progressing cautiously in his coaching career after leaving Wisconsin following the 2022 season. During the 2023 season, he served as an analyst on Bret Bielema’s staff at Illinois before taking on the role of defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator for the Broncos in 2024. He has not yet advanced to a defensive coordinator position.
A former standout at Wisconsin, Leonhard was highly successful as the Badgers’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2022, leading a unit that typically ranked among the best in the nation across various defensive statistics. He also acted as Wisconsin’s interim head coach for seven games in 2022 following Paul Chryst’s dismissal, before departing the program when Luke Fickell was hired in November.
While coaching the Broncos secondary, he played a key role in helping the defense finish the 2024 season ranked No. 7 in the NFL for total defense, allowing an average of 317.1 yards per game. Star cornerback Patrick Surtain, a leading contender for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, anchored the team with 45 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 pass deflections.
As a former safety and assistant coach at Wisconsin, Leonhard is expected to have numerous opportunities for defensive coordinator positions in the next coaching cycle, whether in college or the NFL. He remains recognized as one of the top defensive strategists in the sport, with the Broncos set to benefit from his expertise again in 2025.
