Wisconsin Badger fans have been pretty vocal about Jimmy Leonard's future. There were many, players included, who wanted the interim head coach to be given the job full-time.
But Athletic Director Chris McIntosh has hired Luke Fickell, late of Cincinnati, as the new head coach. Going outside of the Barry Alvarez "Wisconsin Family" to make the hire.
Leonard, a very VERY successful defensive coordinator for the Badgers, hasn't said a word about his reaction to what many might perceive as a slight. Nor has the former Wisconsin walk-on and NFL veteran given an indication of his plans. Saddled with the impossible task of taking over the program from fired Paul Chryst, directing a staff he had no hand in picking or a quarterback that wasn't of his choosing, Leonard filled in admirably. Sure the 4-3 record could have been better, but he brought energy and passion to the sideline.
At this point, it would seem he's busy getting Wisconsin ready for a bowl game -- albeit, a lesser tier bowl game, but a bowl game nonetheless.
Would Fickell look at Leonard, a hot commodity as a defensive coordinator who nearly took the same job with the Green Bay Packers, as a key to his new staff? Or bring in a fresh slate of assistant coaches, "his guys" to build the program?
And, if offered, would Leonard stay? His love and loyalty to Wisconsin has been well-documented. In a similar situation at Ohio State several years ago, named the interim head coach following the release of Jim Tressell and then passed over for the head spot, Fickell stayed on the staff under Urban Meyer and bided his time another four years, taking over the Cincinnati job in 2017..
We'll see if Leonard is given a similar option with the Badgers. I still think the title of head coach is in Leonard's future.
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