Jim Leonhardt's name has been trending on social media, mostly associated with major coaches in the NFL.
according to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero, Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers are reportedly changing teams as defensive coordinator Joe Barry will not be returning. Barry has been Green Bay's DC since 2021 and previously had a number of other NFL stints with the Packers.
When DC's job in Green Bay opened up, many fans and media outlets quickly linked Leonhardt's name as a potential candidate for the position. ESPN's Dan Orlovsky was among those to include the former Wisconsin assistant and interim head coach on his list of candidates.
Here's a glimpse of how fans and media reacted to Wednesday's report.
packers dc
jim leonhardt
Rex Ryan
Jess Minter
anthony weaver— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 24, 2024
I'll be very interested to see if Packers head coach Matt LaFleur hires Jim Leonhardt to fill the vacant defensive coordinator position again.
— Dillon Graff (@DillonGraff) January 24, 2024
Jim Leonhardt is trending. Now you can see why. https://t.co/VxqwRXzYWF
— Alexkuhn (@Alexkuhn523) January 24, 2024
If I were Green Bay, this is who I would call.
jim leonhardt
chris harris
Al Harris
Jesse Minter
mike zimmer— Uncle from the Midwest (@pastramiboi) January 24, 2024
Whether you still hope Michigan keeps Jesse Minter or think Jim Leonhardt is the frontrunner to replace him, Green Bay's opening day is not good for you. . Minter and Leonhardt have to be top choices for the Packers. https://t.co/bHyEq032iu
— Trevor McCue (@trevormccue) January 24, 2024
jim leonhardt
Jesse Minter
Glenn Schumann
Al HarrisI want young teams to come up with fresh ideas and challenge young DCs. https://t.co/JT2R9e3hsA
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) January 22, 2024
Make Jim Leonhardt the Packers DC! https://t.co/ubFjcPaH9e
— David Gasper (@dgasper24) January 24, 2024
Jim Leonhardt…
you
Who is the next defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers? pic.twitter.com/vBa6eFd1Nm
— Andrew Lammers (@lamers_andrew) January 24, 2024
I wonder what Al Harris will do as D coordinator…I'm also interested in Greg Williams, Jim Leonhardt, and Wink Martindale. Bringing attacking football back to GB
— Jason Klug (@JayKlug) January 24, 2024
Cue GB DC’s Jim Leonhardt at 3…2…1.
— Lambeau Nation (@lambeau_nations) January 24, 2024
Packers, two words. Gym. Leonhardt. https://t.co/3Q3P7wGv0E
— Nick Olla (@Coach_Olla) January 24, 2024
So how long will it be until Jim Leonhardt gets hired by Green Bay? A week?
— Barton (@Barton1331) January 24, 2024
From 2017 to 2022, Leonhardt coached the Badgers' DC and defensive backs as one of the most highly regarded assistants in the country. He was reportedly considered for various NFL jobs during his tenure, but chose to remain in Madison midway through.
During the 2022 season, Leonhardt took over the interim role after the firing of Paul Chryst and led the team to a 4-3 record, but was not expected to remain as Luke Fickell took the permanent job. There wasn't. He spent the 2023 season as an analyst for Bret Bielema at the University of Illinois.
