The Dallas Cowboys spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since firing Matt Eberflus. Jerry Jones was his usual self, but Brian Schottenheimer offered some clarity on what he’s looking for in his next
defensive coordinator.
Does that sound like generic coachspeak? Sure. Schottenheimer made sure to throw in several buzzwords, staying away from making any declarations about scheme and instead focusing on soft skills. Given the issues Eberflus had in implementing his scheme, which has seen success elsewhere, that makes sense.
It also perfectly describes at least one coach who’s been floated by many (including yours truly) as a candidate.
Jim Leonhard has been the pass game coordinator for the Broncos over the last two years, during which time Denver is second in EPA/dropback and first in success rate against the pass. He was a longtime coach at his alma mater, Wisconsin, starting his career there as a defensive backs coach before rising to defensive coordinator and, later, interim head coach.
Leonhard also played three seasons for the Jets under Rex Ryan, and Schottenheimer was the offensive coordinator for all three seasons. Surely Schottenheimer is familiar with the type of leader and teacher that Leonhard is.
For those who aren’t, though, know this: Leonhard is renowned for his defensive prowess. Not only is he an X’s and O’s wizard – playing for Rex Ryan and starting your coaching career under Justin Wilcox and Dave Aranda will do that – but Leonhard has drawn rave reviews everywhere he’s been for the way he teaches his players.
When Leonhard was passed over for the full-time head job at Wisconsin, he spent a year as an analyst at Illinois, working for former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema. At the time of his addition, Bielema had this to say about Leonhard:
“I know this from recruiting against him that he’s obviously a guy who has the ability to connect with players. It doesn’t matter [if it’s] defensive backs, wideouts, running backs, defensive linemen, linebackers, he’s… very, very good at player communication. He’s his own man. I don’t think he does anything different than the things he believes in.”
An insightful profile on Leonhard from ESPN’s Jesse Temple came up in 2017, right before his first season as the Wisconsin defensive coordinator. And some of the bits from it are very telling on Leonhard, even when he was just 34 years old and running a defense for the first time:
During the Badgers’ campaign, I had the opportunity to watch Leonhard at work during a 45-minute team meeting with his unit that showcased his vast football acumen as he prepared Wisconsin’s defensive backs for a game against second-ranked Ohio State. Leonhard masterfully weaved through Wisconsin’s defensive calls and what each player’s responsibility would be in a given look. He drew Ohio State’s route concepts on the whiteboard and explained when Wisconsin should play Cover 4 or Cover 3 defense. He broke down the role his players would be required to fulfill if Ohio State were to run a corner route or if the quarterback should run an option.
Leonhard also spent 20 minutes with a clicker and laser pointer, highlighting the routes each receiver and tight end might run. He was not afraid to gather input from veteran defensive leaders Sojourn Shelton and D’Cota Dixon on how to combat particular reads. He looked as though he had been coaching for years.
Leonhard’s home-state roots, capacity to teach and communicate and develop relationships makes him the total package for Wisconsin. And he doesn’t have to follow anybody else’s coaching blueprint to show he’s ready for the task at hand.
Even from the beginning of his coaching career, Leonhard has had a knack for communication and teaching. His mastery of the game is rooted in his own confidence, yet Leonhard’s willingness to solicit feedback from his players reflects a nuance many coaches take years to figure out.
Maybe it’s all the time he spent playing, starting out as a walk-on at Wisconsin and going from undrafted to a starter for a Jets defense that nearly reached the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons. In a profile from The Athletic during his run as Wisconsin’s interim head coach, Leonhard had a fascinating take on how he views his playing days now that he’s a coach:
“It’s fun to reminisce on it a little bit,” Leonhard says of utilizing his credentials with today’s players, “but I really try to get more of a point across than just: Hey, I did this or I did that.
“It’s the mindset. Now it’s: How do we get you there? That’s what I’m back doing. I love teaching football and to me, that’s coaching.”
According to those who have watched Leonhard the most over the years, he sounds to be exactly what Schottenheimer is describing. Given the familiarity these two have, that can’t be a coincidence.
