Wisconsin Badgers fans clamoring for Jim Leonhard after Luke Fickell's struggles

With Luke Fickell's seat growing hot, Wisconsin fans have turned their focus to finding the program's next head coach, a list which includes a very familiar name

Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin head coach Jim Leonhard, center, is shown during the first quarter of their gam at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-Imagn Images | Mark Hoffman-Imagn Images

Boos and "Fire Fickell" chants rained down on the Wisconsin Badgers as they entered the tunnel at halftime trailing 20-0 against Maryland at Camp Randall.

The shouts of displeasure came after a mistake-riddled half, where all three units looked disjointed, sloppy and unprepared.

Wisconsin fans took to social media to voice their opinions, calling for former Badgers interim head coach and football alum Jim Leonhard to return to Madison.

Because, even in his eight games as the interim head coach during 2022, Leonhard was able to beat Maryland.

throw a bag at Jim Leonhard @BadgerFootball enough is enough

— ND (with the "upmost" respect) 🏁 (@nathand_12) September 20, 2025

@BadgerFootball Undisciplined. Lack of effort. Lack of focus. Culture is gone. Fickle was hired to get us over the hump and it’s all gone. Jim Leonhard please forgive us.

— Sunny Ray (@SunnyRayAllDay) September 20, 2025

Throw as much money as you can at Jim Leonhard and a lengthy handwritten apology from McIntosh.

— Buckem Up (@_u_right_) September 20, 2025

This rarely happens at Camp Randall. But alma mater #Badgers are starting to hear some boos -- & deservedly so -- from fans who are weary of their inept play under head coach Luke Fickell. If this continues, this has to be his last yr. Bring back Jim Leonhard. Whatever it takes.

— Ed Bark (@unclebarkycom) September 20, 2025

Leonhard was viewed as a top candidate for Wisconsin's head coaching job after the firing of Paul Chryst.

He currently serves as the defensive pass game coordinator and assistant head coach for the Denver Broncos under head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

A three-time first-team All-American safety with the Badgers from 2002-2004, Leonhard was Wisconsin's defensive coordinator from 2017-2022 before taking the interim head coaching role.

He was emblematic of the Badgers physical, dominating defense and the program's overall hard-nosed reputation.

After Wisconsin decided to hire Luke Fickell, Leonhard was rumored to remain on staff as the defensive coordinator, but ultimately decided to serve as an analyst for Illinois before heading off to the NFL.

The decision, both by Leonhard and the Badgers, has fans wondering what Wisconsin would look like if Leonhard were hired over Fickell.

Where is a Jim Leonhard led team right now?

Interesting thought.

— Badgers Army (@BadgersArmy) September 20, 2025

Should’ve just hired Jim Leonhard. That decision cursed this program

— Mike Percy (@mike_percy_) September 20, 2025

Imagine a world where the Badgers hired Jim Leonhard over Luke Fickell a few years ago. I want to live in that world. Because the current version sucks.

— Tyler Schmidt (@schmitty088) September 20, 2025

Leonhard returning to the Badgers feels like a long shot. He decided to forego potential defensive coordinator opportunities to remain in his current role with the Broncos.

Leonhard appears to be content in Denver and could be getting groomed for a larger role in the future, considering Vance Joseph's age. Leonhard had a brief stint with the Broncos as a player in 2012, when Denver went 13-3 in the regular season.

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