Jim Leonhard excited to make NFL coaching debut with Broncos

After spending ten years as a safety and special teams player, Jim Leonhard transitioned from playing in the NFL to coaching at his alma mater, Wisconsin.

Leonhard returned to the Badgers in 2016 initially as a defensive backs coach before later becoming the defensive coordinator and eventually an interim head coach. He turned down DC jobs in the NFL to remain at the college level and then served as a senior football analyst at Illinois in 2023 while recovering from hip surgery.

After failing to land Leonhard on his staff last year, Broncos head coach Sean Payton made a pitch to Leonhard again in 2024. This time, the coach accepted, joining the team as their new defensive backs coach after six years at the college level.

“Definitely excited to be here,” Leonhard said on June 12. “Last year was a great time for me to kind of step away and reset a little bit. We had talked a year ago and decided against it, but it was hard to turn down twice.

“I loved my time here in Denver. It was a great experience as a player, and just knowing really from the top down, the commitment and the passion for the Broncos here in Denver. I’m excited to be back for this to be my first opportunity coaching in the NFL.”

Leonhard spent one season playing for the Broncos in 2012. He started one game on defense that season and played 151 snaps on special teams. Now back in Denver, Leonhard will be tasked with coaching up the Broncos’ defensive backs while undoubtedly helping with special teams as well.

The 41-year-old coach is the latest ex-player to join Payton’s staff, joining a list of peers that includes Chris Banjo, Zach Strief, Davis Webb, Keary Colbert and Logan Kilgore. Judging by his quick ascension, Leonhard seems poised to have a bright future in coaching.