Jim Leonhard

Wisconsin NCAA college football defensive coordinator Mike Tressel low-fives Wisconsin defensive end Rodas Johnson on the first day of training camp in Platteville, Wisc., Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (Samantha Madar/Wisconsin State Journal via AP)

No. 19 Wisconsin eager to show its defense can stay elite with new coordinator in charge

This isn’t the first time Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Tressel has faced the challenge of building on the accomplishments of a popular predecessor.

FILE - Wisconsin interim head coach Jim Leonhard looks on before an NCAA football game between against Wisconsin and Minnesota on Nov. 26, 2022, in Madison, Wis. The former Wisconsin defensive coordinator and interim head coach will join the Illinois staff as a senior analyst, coach Bret Bielema announced Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)

Jim Leonhard, former Wisconsin defensive coordinator and interim coach, joins Illini as an analyst

Wisconsin linebacker Jordan Turner kisses the trophy after defeating Oklahoma State 24-17 in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Wisconsin beats Oklahoma State 24-17 in Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi (1) celebrates his touchdown against Oklahoma State during the first half of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Wisconsin holds off Oklahoma State in Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh, left, introduces new head football coach Luke Fickell at a news conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Wisconsin, Oklahoma State bowling after inconsistent seasons

Wisconsin takes on Oklahoma State in Guaranteed Rate Bowl

PHOENIX (AP) — The Luke Fickell era at Wisconsin will have a soft opening.

Fickell will be on the sideline against Oklahoma State on Tuesday night in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

Wisconsin interim head coach Jim Leonhard on the field before an NCAA football game between against Wisconsin and Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Jim Leonhard says he won’t return to Wisconsin staff

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Jim Leonhard, who served as Wisconsin’s interim coach for the last seven games of the regular season, says he won’t be back with the Badgers next season.

Wisconsin, Oklahoma State headed to Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Wisconsin (6-6, Big Ten) vs. Oklahoma State (7-5, Big 12) Dec. 27, 10:15 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Phoenix

TOP PLAYERS

FILE - Wisconsin wide receiver Devin Chandler runs up field during an NCAA college football game against Iowa, on Dec. 12, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Chandler, who transferred to the University of Virginia, was one of three Virginia football players killed in a shooting, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Charlottesville, Va., while returning from a class trip to see a play. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Badgers grieve loss of ex-teammate as they prep for Huskers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin interim head coach Jim Leonhard said Thursday his players are still grieving the loss of former Badgers receiver Devin Chandler and believes it might keep some from being focused enough to play Saturday at Nebraska.

Wisconsin running back Isaac Guerendo (20) runs for an 89-yard touchdown run past Maryland defensive back Jakorian Bennett (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Guerendo, Allen lead Wisconsin to 23-10 win over Maryland

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s players are making a strong argument that interim head coach Jim Leonhard deserves to have the job for keeps.

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) looks to pass against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 35-24. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Mertz, Allen lead Wisconsin past Purdue 35-24

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Graham Mertz likes the direction that Wisconsin interim coach Jim Leonhard is taking the Badgers

Michigan State punt returner Jayden Reed (1) jumps over Wisconsin' Haakon Anderson (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Michigan State outlasts Wisconsin in double overtime 34-28

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Quarterback Payton Thorne threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jayden Reed in the second overtime Saturday to lift Michigan State to a 34-28 victory over Wisconsin.

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) looks to pass the ball against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)

Struggling Michigan State desperate for win vs. Wisconsin

Wisconsin (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) at Michigan State (2-4, 0-3), Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (Fox)

Line: Wisconsin by 7½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook

Wisconsin OT Logan Brown dismissed from football team

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin offensive tackle Logan Brown has been dismissed from the team because of an “internal incident,” interim coach Jim Leonhard said Thursday.

University of Wisconsin football defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard addresses reporters during a news conference announcing the firing of head coach Paul Chryst in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. Leonhard has been named the team's interim coach. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP)

Wisconsin’s Leonhard gets his shot under tough circumstances

Jim Leonhard would have preferred much different circumstances, but the former Wisconsin safety and NFL veteran has been given the opportunity to lead his alma mater’s football program.

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Wisconsin fires Paul Chryst; names DC Leonhard interim coach

Wisconsin has fired head coach Paul Chryst after a 2-3 start to his eighth season leading his alma mater.

FILE - Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in Madison, Wisc., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Wisconsin has produced defenses that have ranked among the nation’s stingiest virtually every year since Jim Leonhard took over as coordinator in 2017. Leonhard faces perhaps his biggest challenge in maintaining that standard this year. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

Wisconsin defense faces major challenge in bid to stay elite

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin has boasted one of the nation’s stingiest defenses virtually every season since Jim Leonhard took over as coordinator in 2017.

Badgers defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has found winning formula

Paul Chryst admired Jim Leonhard since Chryst’s days as an offensive coordinator for the University of Wisconsin football program from 2006-11, when Leonhard, a former All-American safety for the school and then-NFL veteran, often returned to Madison during the offseason.