After a first season that left a lot to be desired, New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is expected to make some changes to his coaching staff heading into the offseason.
First and foremost, a new defensive coordinator. Steve Wilks’ hire was the right thought process for a first-time head coach, but Glenn needs someone who can put his defenders in a better position to succeed.
That’s why former Jets running back Bilal Powell pitched his old teammate as the next defensive coordinator: current Denver Broncos assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Could the Jets dip back into the team’s alumni and make another one a key hire?
The Case for Jim Leonhard as Defensive Coordinator
Since retiring from the NFL in 2014, Leonhard has built an impressive resume as a defensive coach.
He started with the Wisconsin Badgers as the defensive backs coach in 2016, before receiving a promotion to defensive coordinator in 2017.
Leonhard held the position until 2022, and led the Badgers to four top-10 finishes in fewest points per game allowed among Division 1 schools during his tenure.
After serving as a senior defensive analyst for Illinois during the 2023 season, Leonhard made his jump to the NFL in 2024, joining the Denver Broncos as their defensive pass game coordinator.
Leonhard helped transform Denver’s pass defense, jumping all the way from 28th in 2023 to the No. 1 pass defense in 2024 according to Sumer Sports’ EPA/play.
“When this year came around and the opportunity presented itself — we are getting someone with [playing] experience and we’re getting someone with coaching experience as well. He’s been coaching at the college level now for quite a while and was a candidate to be the head coach at Wisconsin,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton gushed about Leonhard in 2024.
“I’ve kind of known him for a while and he’s one of those guys — not only myself, but I would say a number of people in the league have tracked and said, ‘This guy has got a real good future as a coach in this league.’”
Now, with another season of pro coaching experience under his belt, Leonhard may be ready to take another leap forward in his career.
Jim Leonhard’s Successful Jets Career
In hiring Leonhard, the New York Jets may be trying to harken back to the good old days, similar to the hiring of Glenn.
Leonard started his Jets career in 2009, following Rex Ryan over from the Baltimore Ravens to New York after landing the head coaching gig.
The veteran safety was a key piece for the Jets’ conference title game runs in 2009 and 2010, particularly in 2009.
On their path to the AFC Championship game, Leonhard recorded 12 tackles, one sack, one interception, a fumble recovery, and two passes defended.
Maybe he would be able to bring some of that turnover magic with him back to the Jets, given their inability to haul in even a tipped ball this season.
Powell, who pitched the return of Leonhard in the first place, was only teammates for one season, in 2011.
The fact that the veteran safety made that much of an impact on him in such little time should tell you everything you need to know about the leadership he would bring to the table.
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