Jim Leonhard

James Andrew Leonhard (born October 27, 1982) is an American professional football coach and former player who is the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played professionally in the NFL as a safety for 10 seasons.

Leonhard played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. He also played in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Broncos, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns.

Early life Leonhard played high school football at Flambeau High School in Tony, Wisconsin, where he was the starting quarterback and strong safety. During his freshman year, 1997, the Flambeau Falcons won the Wisconsin state championship in football in division six over River Ridge high school. He was a team captain in his junior and senior seasons, the same seasons in which he was a first-team All-State performer. He was also named team MVP in his senior year.

College career Leonhard was a walk-on football player at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, having received no Division I-A scholarship offers out of high school. He was not awarded a scholarship until his senior year, despite the fact that he had been a regular starting safety before that season and had already been named All-Big Ten twice. Noted for his speed, leaping ability, and sure tackling, Leonhard totaled 21 interceptions (tied with Jamar Fletcher for the most in school history) and made 281 tackles. He held the Big Ten Conference career punt return yardage record with 1,347 yards

Buffalo Bills (first stint) Leonhard was the only undrafted rookie on the 53-man opening day roster for the 2005 Bills. replacing the injured Dawan Landry. He set career-high marks with 68 tackles and one sack to go along with one interception, which he returned for a TD against the Cincinnati Bengals.

New York Jets

In 2009, Leonhard signed with the New York Jets, reuniting him with former Ravens defensive coordinator and later New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan. Terms were $6 million for 3 years with $1 million guaranteed. While with the New York Jets. During the 2009 year, Leonhard started all 16 games making 66 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception, six passes defended and one forced fumble. His efforts led to the Jets going to the play-offs but eventually losing to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game.

On December 3, 2010, Leonhard suffered a fractured tibia after a collision with wide receiver Patrick Turner during practice. He underwent surgery the same night and was ruled out for the rest of the 2010 season. Leonhard played 11 games in 2010 making 56 tackles, one interception, four passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. The Jets would go to the playoffs again but lose the AFC Championship to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 11, 2011, Leonhard landed awkwardly after catching an interception thrown by Tyler Palko. Leonhard was carried off the field by a medical cart. A few days later, an MRI revealed that there was a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. As a result, Leonhard was eliminated for the rest of the 2011 season. Leonhard played 13 games in 2011 making 48 tackles, one interception, six passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Denver Broncos In August 2012, Leonhard agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos. During the 2012 season with the Broncos, Leonhard made 17 tackles and had two interceptions, three passes defended and one fumble recovery in 16 games (one start).

New Orleans Saints In April 2013, Leonhard signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. He was released before the season.

Buffalo Bills (second stint) Leonhard signed a contract with the Bills in September 2013, returning to the club where he started his professional career. During his first season back with Buffalo in 2013, Leonhard made 41 tackles, four interceptions and five passes defended in 16 games (six starts).

Cleveland Browns In 2014, Leonhard joined the Cleveland Browns. He made 27 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and three passes defensed. Leonhard retired following the season.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions G GS Comb Total Ast Sack FF FR Yds Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD 2005 BUF 10 0 5 1 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 BUF 15 1 13 11 2 0.0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2007 BUF 13 6 54 44 10 0.0 0 0 0 2 60 30 36 0 3 2008 BAL 16 13 69 55 14 1.0 0 1 0 1 35 35 35 1 6 2009 NYJ 16 16 76 53 23 2.5 1 0 0 1 44 44 44 0 5 2010 NYJ 11 11 61 57 4 0.0 1 1 -1 1 2 2 2 0 4 2011 NYJ 13 13 48 38 10 0.0 1 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 6 2012 DEN 16 1 18 13 5 0.0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 2013 BUF 16 7 41 30 11 0.0 0 0 0 4 72 18 41 0 6 2014 CLE 16 5 43 27 16 1.0 0 0 0 2 34 17 34 0 3Career 142 73 428 329 99 4.5 3 5 2 14 247 17.6 44 1 35

Coaching career

Wisconsin In February 2016, Leonhard joined Paul Chryst's staff at his alma mater as defensive backs coach. In his year off between retiring from the NFL and being named DB coach for the Badgers, Leonhard spent his time studying college film with then-Wisconsin Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda and familiarizing himself with schemes that exist in college football that aren't prevalent in the NFL, such as the zone-read option offense. Prior to UW DB coach Daronte Jones leaving UW for an assistant coaching position with the Dolphins, Leonhard had been asking Paul Chryst about joining the Badgers staff.

In February 2017, Leonhard was named the new defensive coordinator of the Badgers, replacing Justin Wilcox, who became the new head coach of California. In late November 2017, Leonhard was named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award which recognized the top assistant coach in college football.

On October 2, 2022, Leonhard was named interim head coach of the Badgers following the firing of Paul Chryst.

After Wisconsin hired Luke Fickell as head coach in November 2022, Leonhard announced that he would be leaving Wisconsin at the end of the 2022 football season.

Illinois On July 25, 2023, Illinois announced they had hired Leonhard as a senior football analyst.

Denver Broncos On February 14, 2024, Leonhard was named as defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator for the Denver Broncos.

On March 6, 2025, Leonhard was promoted to assistant head coach, while remaining the defensive pass game coordinator.

Buffalo Bills On January 31, 2026, Leonhard joined the Buffalo Bills as their defensive coordinator, under head coach Joe Brady.

Head coaching record College