Wisconsin Football: 4 possible replacements for Paul Chryst

1. Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin DC

One of the primary reasons to fire Paul Chryst this early in the season is to allow defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard an opportunity to show he can run a football program. As many of these jobs have opened, AD Chris McIntosh has fielded many phone calls with schools interested in Leonhard.

Schools can no longer officially name coaches-in-waiting anymore, but it was understood that Leonhard would be the heir apparent to Chryst in Madison. No one knows the culture of Wisconsin football like Leonhard. He played for the architect of the “Badger Way” Barry Alvarez in the early 2000s before having an outstanding decade-long NFL career with five teams.

Leonhard has been part of the Badgers coaching staff since 2016 and had a hand in developing players like All-American linebacker Zack Baun. He turned down some good opportunities to stay in Wisconsin. The logic says he eventually stayed in Wisconsin to take the head coaching job.

Both parties want one another; Wisconsin allows Leonhard to take this job if he can get the Badgers to a bowl game.