Tag: Jim Leonhard

Broncos lose another coach, and one more could be on the way out (but there’s good news)

Bad news: John Morton has left the Broncos for a promotion. Good news: Jim Leonhard and Davis Webb appear poised to remain in Denver.

The Denver Broncos have lost another member of Sean Payton’s coaching staff.

Broncos pass game coordinator John Morton has left the team to become the new offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, according to multiple reports (via Lions Wire).

Morton, 55, coached under Payton with the New Orleans Saints in 2006 before later working under Dan Campbell with the Lions in 2022. He reunited with Payton in 2023 and spent the last two seasons in Denver. Morton is now set to reunite with Campbell after getting a promotion in Detroit.

The Broncos previously lost assistant general manager Darren Mougey to the New York Jets and tight ends coach Declan Doyle to the Chicago Bears. Morton is now the third staff member to depart in 2025, and he might not be the last as assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo has received interest from at least three clubs.

Here’s the good news: Denver won’t lose defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard this offseason, and the team has also prioritized keeping quarterbacks coach Davis Webb in 2025, according to 9News.

Leonhard and Webb are two high-profile young coaches who will likely become coordinator candidates in the not-too-distant future. It sounds like the Broncos might be able to keep both in Denver for at least one more season.

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Wisconsin legend Jim Leonhard’s 2025 coaching destination revealed

Wisconsin legend Jim Leonhard 2025 coaching destination revealed

This story was updated to add new information.

Wisconsin program legend Jim Leonhard will remain with the Denver Broncos as a defensive assistant for the 2025 season, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Leonhard reportedly ‘drew interest from at least three teams for defensive coordinator jobs,’ according to Rapoport. He will reportedly remain with Denver after spending the 2024 season as its defensive backs coach.

Related: Illinois coach spoke with Paul Chryst and Jim Leonhard about transfer additions from Wisconsin

His specific role on the Broncos coaching staff has yet to be reported. It figures to remain the same, as defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is in line to return to the Broncos in 2025.

Leonhard appears to be moving cautiously through the coaching ranks after leaving Wisconsin after the 2022 season. He spent the 2023 season as an analyst on Bret Bielema’s staff at Illinois, then took the Broncos’ defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator position in 2024. He has yet to take a step up into a defensive coordinator role.

The Wisconsin program legend excelled as the Badgers’ defensive coordinator from 2017-22, guiding a unit that consistently finished toward the top of the country in most defensive metrics. He was also Wisconsin’s interim head coach for seven games in 2022 after Paul Chryst’s firing. He moved on from the program after it hired Luke Fickell that November.

Leonhard coached a Broncos secondary that helped the defensive unit finish the 2024 season No. 7 in the NFL in total defense (317.1 yards allowed per game). Star cornerback Patrick Surtain, the frontrunner for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, led the group with 45 tackles, four interceptions and 11 pass deflections.

The former Badger safety and assistant coach should have his selection of defensive coordinator jobs next coaching cycle, whether in college or the NFL. He is still regarded as one of the better defensive minds in the sport. It will again be the Broncos who benefit from that status in 2025.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Broncos just got huge news for their 2025 coaching staff

Broncos defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard will remain with the team in 2025, which is huge news for Denver’s staff.

The Denver Broncos have already lost two staff members this offseason and two more departures could be on deck, but the team received some very good news on Monday.

Broncos secondary coach Jim Leonhard has elected to remain with the team in 2025, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Leonhard has defensive coordinator and head coach experience from his time at Wisconsin, and “at least three teams” have shown interest in him as a defensive coordinator candidate, according to Rapoport.

Despite being in-demand, Leonhard isn’t going anywhere.

Leonhard is way overqualified for his current position, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Broncos gave him a big raise and/or assurance that he will receive a promotion in the future. That’s merely speculation, though.

What we know for sure is that Leonhard is staying in Denver, and that’s a huge win for the Broncos when multiple coaches are on their way out.

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Illinois coach spoke with Paul Chryst and Jim Leonhard about transfer additions from Wisconsin

Illinois head coach called Paul Chryst and Jim Leonhard about Wisconsin transfer additions

This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccurate headline and to add new information.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema said he was in contact with former Wisconsin coaches Paul Chryst and Jim Leonhard during the recent winter transfer window.

Meeting with the media on Sunday, Bielema elaborated on his pursuit of three key former Wisconsin transfers: defensive linemen James Thompson Jr. and Curt Neal, and outside linebacker Leon Lowery. All three committed to Illinois after gauging other transfer interests. Bielema said he called the two former Wisconsin coaches during the process.

Related: Power ranking all 18 Big Ten football programs after the 2024 season

“James (Thompson Jr.) is a player, I remember when we played two years ago, was formidable,” Bielema began. “I called (Jim Leonhard) right away, just kind of checking, you always have perspective when you have a lot of coaches you know. And I knew Jimmy, was there with him. Reached out to Paul (Chryst) as well. Just want to make sure what I was seeing was real.”

Both Neal and Thompson Jr. were Chryst recruits in the class of 2022 and 2020, respectively. Each played under the longtime Wisconsin coach before electing to remain with the program for the first two years of the Luke Fickell era. Each entered the portal after the 2024 campaign.

Neal was arguably the Badgers’ best defensive lineman over the last few seasons, totaling 42 tackles, five for loss and 1/2 sack. Thompson Jr., meanwhile, held that title in 2023 before missing most of the 2024 season with an injury.

Each figures to lead an Illinois defense coached by defensive coordinator Aaron Henry (Wisconsin defensive back from 2007-11) and defensive line coach Terrance Jamison (former Wisconsin DL).

Leonhard just wrapped up the 2024 NFL season as the Denver Broncos’ secondary coach. Chryst, meanwhile, was out of coaching this past season after spending 2023 as an offensive analyst at Texas.

The Wisconsin connection still exists for Bielema, Chryst and Leonhard, as well as those two former Badgers on the Illinois staff. The Fighting Illini prioritizing several former Badgers in the portal shows that reality. As the years pass, Bielema’s Illinois program resembles Wisconsin, where he coached from 2006-12, more and more.

Luke Fickell and Wisconsin will host Illinois on Nov. 22 next season. It will be a rematch of the Badgers’ 25-21 road win over the Fighting Illini in 2023.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Broncos have a possible in-house replacement if they lose Vance Joseph

If the Broncos lose Vance Joseph this offseason, Jim Leonhard would be a logical in-house replacement at DC.

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will be a candidate for multiple head coach jobs this offseason after his impressive 2024 season.

If the Broncos end up losing Joseph to another club, Denver would receive a pair of third-round compensatory draft picks, and they likely have an in-house replacement ready for a promotion.

Broncos defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard has defensive coordinator and (interim) head coach experience at the college level, and he has interviewed for multiple DC jobs in the NFL in the past. Leonhard has a bright future in coaching, and he would be a logical replacement candidate if Joseph leaves.

“Jim is a great teacher,” Joseph said of Leonhard last summer. “Obviously, he played a long time in this league and it wasn’t because of his speed or his size. He’s a great teacher of the position and that’s important. We have young players who have to get better at fundamentals and technique and having a higher I.Q. as far as the schematics. So he’s a perfect fit for us.

“Coming from college, you’re coaching blank pages from freshmen to sophomores, and guys get better every single year with coaching. So he’s been perfect for us.”

As the NFL’s coaching carousel continues to spin, Leonhard will be a name to keep an eye on in Denver.

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Broncos coach interest tracker: Will Sean Payton lose anyone in 2025?

Vance Joseph and Davis Webb are names to watch as NFL teams consider poaching members of the Broncos’ coaching staff.

The NFL’s regular season has wrapped up and the 18 teams who did not reach the playoffs are now in offseason mode.

The Denver Broncos are focused on their upcoming Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills, but offseason buzz has impacted nearly every team in the league.

The Broncos are not making changes to their coaching staff — at least not yet — but several clubs are considering poaching members of Sean Payton’s staff. We will be tracking coach interviews and rumors for Denver coaches in the coming days on this page.

Broncos DC Vance Joseph: The New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders are setting up interviews with Joseph. The Chicago Bears are also said to be interested, as are the Jacksonville Jaguars. Denver would receive three compensatory draft picks if Joseph leaves to join another NFL team in 2025.

Broncos exec David Shaw: The Bears have asked for permission to interview Shaw for their open HC position.

Broncos asst. GM Darren Mougey: George Paton’s right-hand man interviewed for the Jets’ GM opening. Mougey has been with Denver since 2012, working his way up from a scouting intern to assistant GM.

Broncos asst. special teams coach Chris Banjo: The San Francisco 49ers have interviewed Banjo for their open special teams coordinator position.

Broncos QBs coach Davis Webb: There have been conflicting reports on whether or not the New Orleans Saints have asked to interview Webb for their HC opening. Even if the Saints aren’t interested, Davis could be a hot name this offseason.

Broncos DBs coach Jim Leonhard: No reported interviews thus far, but Leonhard is a name to watch. If Joseph leaves, Leonhard would likely be a top in-house candidate to replace him as Denver’s next DC.

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Broncos might lose DC Vance Joseph to a HC job this offseason

The Bears and Jets are interested in Broncos DC Vance Joseph, and New York has already asked to do a HC interview.

Sean Payton might lose a key member of his coaching staff in 2025.

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has received head coach interest from the New York Jets and Chicago Bears, according to a report from The Athletic‘s Michael Silver.

The Jets have formally requested an interview with Joseph, ESPN’s Adam Schefter was among the first to report on Monday. Denver’s playoff schedule could complicate the process as they are currently preparing for a Wild Card matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Joseph’s initial interview with New York will likely be held remotely over Zoom, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Joseph’s defense ranked eighth in takeaways (25), seventh in yards allowed per game (317.1), third in points allowed (18.3) and first in sacks (63, a franchise record) this season.

If the Broncos do lose Joseph to another team this season, they have a perfect in-house replacement candidate in defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard.

If Joseph leaves to become a head coach elsewhere, Denver would receive two third-round compensatory draft picks as part of the NFL’s Rooney Rule designed to encourage teams to develop minority coaches.

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Broncos DC Vance Joseph had a perfect response to head coach rumors

“Being mentioned is cool, but right now my mind’s not there,” Broncos DC Vance Joseph said of being named on head coach candidate lists.

The Denver Broncos‘ defense has been one of the best in the NFL this fall, which has led to rumblings that defensive coordinator Vance Joseph could be a top head coach candidate following the season.

Joseph, 52, previously served as Denver’s head coach 2017-2018. The Broncos went 11-21 during that time and Joseph was fired, but he was working with a roster full of deficiencies, including not having a franchise quarterback.

With such a strong defensive scheme, Joseph could perhaps have a better run as a head coach if he lands in the right situation.

After practice on Thursday, Joseph was asked for his thoughts about being mentioned among head coach candidates this season. Joseph had a perfect response.

“I don’t have a thought about it right now because, thank God this league has seasons, right?” Joseph said. “You know, we have an offseason, you have a draft season — right now it’s play and win season. So for me, my entire focus is this [upcoming] football game and winning games and coaching right now. That stuff takes care of itself down the road.

“There’s a season for that stuff, but right now, for me, it doesn’t even have a place for me. I’m so busy right now. My mind’s on this team, a young defense who’s playing good football, they keep improving each week, to get ahead of the adversity before it strikes, that’s my focus. But obviously, being mentioned is cool, but right now my mind’s not there.”

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1849550307161686274

Joseph’s focused on the task at hand. He’ll turn his attention to any potential head coach interviews after the season ends.

If the Broncos do end up losing Joseph, they have an excellent in-house candidate to replace him in defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard, a former college coach who had drawn interest from NFL teams as a DC candidate before landing in Denver this offseason.

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Wisconsin program legend becoming hot name in NFL coaching circles

Wisconsin program legend becoming hot name in NFL coaching circles

This story was updated to add new information.

Here is a sentence that should not surprise Wisconsin football fans: Badgers program legend Jim Leonhard is quietly becoming a hot name in NFL circles.

The current Denver Broncos defensive backs coach is beginning to be mentioned as a rising figure who could take a defensive coordinator job this hiring cycle.

Related: Where Paul Chryst, Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin football’s entire 2022 coaching staff is now

Leonhard currently leads a Broncos secondary that ranks No. 5 in the NFL in quarterback rating allowed, No. 2 in passing yards per attempt, No. 6 in passing yards allowed and No. 6 in interceptions through five weeks.

That group is led by all-world cornerback Patrick Surtain II, but isn’t top-down full of superstars. Other starters in the group are third-year CB Ja’Quan McMillian, second-year CB Riley Moss (via Iowa), and safeties P.J. Locke and Brandon Jones. Leonhard has the group playing like one of the best in the NFL.

This praise is not only coming from the outside. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini recently highlighted Leonhard as a key factor in Denver’s defensive success:

“Secondary coach Jim Leonhard, a former Broncos player and defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, has been getting rave reviews from his players and the staff,” Russini wrote. “So as we get closer to discussing the new batch of future NFL coordinators in the coming months, remember you read about Leonhard right here.”

Former Wisconsin quarterback and current Yahoo Sports and NFL Network analyst Nate Tice agrees with the sentiment. He called Leonhard ‘a major character’ in the NFL this season, both due to his coaching job in Denver and to the large collection of former Badger defenders dominating across the league.

Broncos beat reporter Andrew Mason also added to the conversation, calling Leonhard a ‘future NFL head coach.’

Finally, Broncos head coach Sean Payton heaped praise on Leonhard before the season even began. His sentiment has only been bolstered by strong results on the field.

 

Leonhard spent the 2023 season as an analyst on Bret Bielema’s staff at Illinois after leaving Wisconsin after Luke Fickell was hired in November 2022. He took the defensive backs coach job with the Broncos this offseason, and is already being mentioned as a possible candidate for promotion only five games into the young season.

Badgers fans are unlikely to be surprised by this news. Leonhard was one of the hotter names in the coaching industry up until the 2022 season. His defenses were among the best at the college level through his entire tenure as Badgers defensive coordinator, highlighted by a record-setting 2021 group.

The Wisconsin program legend chose an NFL path after getting passed over for the Badgers head coaching job in 2022. That decision appears to be paying dividends. His name will only be mentioned more and more on coaching hot boards as the weeks pass.

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Wisconsin program legend among college football interception leaders since 1976

Wisconsin program legend among college football interception leaders since 1976

Former Wisconsin star safety Jim Leonhard is tied for the fourth most interceptions in college football since 1976.

The Tony, Wisconsin native is tied with Miami legend Ed Reed, Wake Forest’s Alphonso Smith, Florida State’s Terrell Buckley and Arizona’s Chuck Cecil with 21 interceptions since ’76.

Bowling Green’s Martin Bayless leads the list with 27 while Boston College’s Tony Thurman and Texas Tech’s Tracy Saul boast 26 and 25 picks, respectively.

Unlike a majority of these all-world athletes, Leonhard arrived in Madison as a walk-on in 2001. A year later, he was named first-team All-America and Wisconsin’s team MVP as a sophomore.

By the time he left campus, the 5-foot-8 safety boasted three first-team All-American selections, shattered the Big Ten record with 1,347 career punt return yards and finished his senior campaign as a finalist for the inaugural Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Leonhard followed his storied college career with 10 seasons in the NFL as a member of the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns.

After retirement, he would go on to serve as Wisconsin’s defensive backs coach in 2016  before transitioning to defensive coordinator from 2017-2022. Under his guidance, UW landed in the nation’s top five for total defense and top 10 in scoring defense on four separate occasions.

Leonard was inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.