One B1G fanbase is clamoring for Jim Leonhard as DC following Wisconsin's HC decision
Jim Leonhard is not the next head coach at Wisconsin.
Despite reports last weekend indicating that Leonhard would have the interim tag removed by the Badgers, Wisconsin and AD Chris McIntosh went in a totally different route Sunday. In the end, the Badgers landed head coach Luke Fickell away from Cincinnati where he led the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff in 2021.
It also looks like Wisconsin fans were not the only ones surprised by Fickell landing the job with the Badgers. According to reports, Leonhard’s camp was “blindsided” by Wisconsin’s move.
At the end of the day, Leonhard’s next move remains to be seen. While he could potentially return to Madison as the DC on Fickell’s staff, it would not be terribly surprising to see Leonhard decide to move on after missing out on the permanent head coaching job.
And if Leonhard does move on, at least one B1G fanbase wants the long-time DC to come join their program. While it would (probably) be an unlikely move, a number of Nebraska fans took to social media with pleas for Leonhard to join the coaching staff of new head coach Matt Rhule.
Check it out:
Jim Leonhard will be on the job market, IMO. No way he stays after being passed up. Matt Rhule 100% needs to throw a ton of money to bring Jim to Nebraska as the DC. He is a legit, elite DC.
— RIP Big Ten Divisions Starting in 2024 (@Genetics56) November 27, 2022
Nebraska should bring in Jim Leonhard as DC is Wisconsin hires Fickell (and retain Bill Busch in some capacity).
Add some zip to the rivalry.
— Jake Sorensen (@937JakeSorensen) November 27, 2022
Time to offer Jim Leonhard 2.5 million to be Nebraska’s DC and get some revenge on WI and the rest of the BIG10
— Jim in MN (@HuskersMN) November 27, 2022
Jim Leonhard to Nebraska. The movement starts now.
— Juan (@CornhuskerJuan) November 27, 2022
Wisconsin targeting Luke Fickell. So Jim Leonhard's gonna be on the market as a DC?
Nebraska fans: pic.twitter.com/s5TvwNj4iI
— Zack Carpenter (@Zack_Carp) November 27, 2022
Nebraska defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. No way he stays in Madison now#Huskers
— Rugby Kobi 🇺🇲🇺🇦 (@KobiRugby) November 27, 2022
Can Nebraska just hire all the interim coaches from this cycle as assistants? 😂
WR/Recruiting: Mickey Joseph
DC: Jim Leonhard
OL/RGC: Brent Key
RB: Cadillac Williams
OC/PGC: Bryant Vincent— Ms. Sadie (@TaliseAngel) November 27, 2022
Damn maybe Nebraska should look at bringing Jim Leonhard onto the team for defense along with Bill Bush for special teams. Mickey for WRs sheesh that's a power complex for the West
— Andrew Barness (@AndrewBarness) November 28, 2022
Do we know how much it would take to get Jim Leonhard to Nebraska to be our DC just wondering
— Taterchip (@Taterchip402) November 27, 2022
Hey Jim Leonhard, come be Nebraska’s DC. 😘 https://t.co/yZnMufePJm
— Rob Searles (@RobBob17) November 27, 2022