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Jim Leonhard and returning assistants receive pay increase

By Tanner Nestle

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers points during action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers points during action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Badgers assistant coaches receive pay increase following historic 13-win season.

It was announced in the Wisconsin State Journal that Wisconsin has given their returning assistant coaches a pay increase going into the 2018 season. This should be warming news for fans regarding one specific assistant coach, Jim Leonhard. For the first time in three years Wisconsin isn’t hiring a new defensive coordinator. The pay increase is surely a large part of that.

After 2015 Dave Aranda left for the same position at LSU and after 2016 Justin Wilcox left for the head coaching job at Cal. There were rumors that Leonhard was a candidate for the defensive coordinator spot at Florida State, but he’ll be returning for a second season at his alma mater.

ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 02: Wisconsin Badgers Head Coach Paul Chryst reacts on the sideline during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 02: Wisconsin Badgers Head Coach Paul Chryst reacts on the sideline during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin’s defense has been one of the best in the country in recent years and it’s largely because of the coaching. The fact that the defense has remained dominant through two coordinator changes is nothing to scoff at. A fourth defensive coordinator in as many years may have made the Badger defense a weakness. Instead, Leonhard can build on last year and establish a culture.

Wisconsin’s defense will still be one of the best in the conference with returning starters D’Cota Dixon and T.J. Edwards despite the starters lost to the draft. The Badger defense last year was able to win games without much help from the offense. Fortunately, it looks like the offense can be more effective this year.

It’s no secret that head coach Paul Chryst is an offensive mind so having a great defenisve coordinator is very important. Chryst took a risk on the inexperienced Leonhard, but the new financial commitment to the current staff, along with Leonhard’s ties to the Wisconsin program, should keep him on the Badger sideline for years to come.

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Leonhard’s pay increased from $600,00 to $795,200 per year, the most of any assistant on the staff.

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