The Philadelphia Eagles are in the market for a new defensive coordinator but appear to be looking at the college ranks for their top candidate.
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported on Monday that the Eagles have interviewed former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard for the job recently vacated by Jonathan Gannon.
Leonard served as Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator under Paul Chryst for the past six years and served as their interim head coach after his dismissal during the 2022 season.
Eagles fans certainly appear to be on board with the team potentially hiring Leonhard. Some feel that he might even be an upgrade over Gannon:
Leonhard would be a great hire for the #Eagles. While serving as DC from 2017-21 the #Badgers ranked first in total yards allowed (284.8 yards per game), third in scoring defense (17.3 points per game) and fourth in forced turnovers (112) among Power Five schools https://t.co/FJMbx3K8v3
— Matthew Neschis (@MNeschis) February 20, 2023
Would be a change in defensive philosophy, but with Jordan Davis & CJGJ (would seem even more important to re-sign him if they hired Jim)
They would have 2 of the big pieces in place to run the scheme
Highly respected and considered one of the brightest minds in college football https://t.co/j16Qw2ygtY— David (@PHLEagleNews) February 20, 2023
I love this. He’d the one college coach I would’ve targeted. Guy was an ace at Wisconsin. https://t.co/AQOCGeQ0HB
— Matt Michaels (@MattyMike0718) February 20, 2023
Jim Leonhard was a 10-year NFL veteran who played for the Bills, Ravens, Jets, Broncos and Cleveland before retiring after the 2014 season.
Leonhard went into coaching under Chryst at his alma mater in 2016, spending one year as defensive backs coach before being promoted to full defensive coordinator the following year.
Under Leonard’s watch, the Badgets had a top 10 scoring defense in FBS four times and reached the Big Ten Championship Game twice.
After being promoted to interim head coach, Leonard went 5-3 and led the Badgers to an 8-5 season that culminated in a Guaranteed Rate Bowl win over Oklahoma State.
But he was not retained by Wisconsin in any capacity after the season and has not yet been hired by any other teams.
Will Jim Leonhard be the next defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles?