BUFFALO, N.Y. — Jim Leonhard has always seemed to be just on the cusp of becoming an NFL defensive coordinator. On Saturday, he appears to have finally gotten the call.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Leonhard was hired to be the next defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills. Leonhard is a Wisconsin alum who served as the Badgers’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2022, and led the Badgers as interim head coach between the time when Paul Chryst was fired and Luke Fickell was hired.

Leonhard’s name came up during the Packers’ defensive coordinator search in 2021, though he passed on the opportunity and the Packers ultimately hired Joe Barry. His name came up again earlier this year as the Packers searched for another defensive coordinator, but the job wound up going to Jonathan Gannon.

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So what’s the hype about? Well, Leonhard’s defenses at Wisconsin consistently ranked among the best in the nation. During his six-year tenure, the Badgers were the best among Power 5 teams in first downs per game, third-down percentage and yards per game.

Leonhard left Wisconsin after Fickell’s hiring and had a brief stint at Illinois as an analyst (for Badger fans, the less said about that the better). He then made the jump to the NFL, serving as defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator for the Broncos.

The success Leonhard had with Wisconsin has seemed to translate, at least somewhat, to Denver. The Broncos defense was the best in the league in yards allowed per pass play this past season, and advanced to the AFC Championship before losing 10-7 to the Patriots.

Before taking up coaching, Leonhard was a solid player in his own right. He was a walk-on safety for the Badgers but played his way into a leading role, eventually earning three first-team All-American honors. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.

Leonhard went undrafted in 2005, but again played his way onto the field. He had a three-year stint with the Bills, spent one year as a consistent starter for the Ravens then had a three-year stay with the Jets. He also played seasons for the Broncos and Browns.

Through his 10-year career he racked up 431 tackles, 14 interceptions and 4.5 sacks across 142 games with 73 starts.

Leonhard will lead the Bills defense under new head coach Joe Brady.

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