Is a Broncos Assistant Coach the Top Candidate for Cowboys Defensive Coordinator?
As the Cowboys are on their way to exploring to find a new defensive coordinator after the firing of Matt Eberflus, one name has been a constant. Jim Leonhard, the assistant head coach of the Denver Broncos, has been making strides in his entire career. From a former NFL veteran to a coach in the college game and now in the NFL, he has been able to learn everywhere he has been. Not only does he have the smarts, but he is the perfect type of coach head coach Brian Schottenheimer is striving to get after a rollercoaster debut season.
Leonhard was a former NFL safety who played 10 long seasons with several teams, like the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets. Leonhard first met Schottenheimer while playing for the Jets, where Schottenheimer served as the offensive coordinator during their two seasons together from 2009 to 2011. After his pro career, Leonhard went to coach his alma mater two years after retirement, where he quickly became the defensive coordinator of the Wisconsin Badgers and was nominated for the Broyles Award for being a top assistant coach. After his tenure in college, he joined Sean Payton in Denver as a defensive backs coach in 2024, and similarly to college, he transitioned quickly to assistant head coach only one year later.
Leonhard has consistently demonstrated the qualities of a successful coach wherever he has been, quickly earning promotions and adapting to new roles. While he has excelled in assisting his teams on the football field, he embodies the character and culture that Schottenheimer aims to establish. Leonhard loves the art of teaching his players and being able to build a genuine relationship amongst them. For him, effectively communicating a message to each individual player and establishing a connection with them is essential. This approach aligns with Schottenheimer's desire for his next coordinator to excel in communication. Back when the Cowboys visited the Denver Broncos early this season and had a disappointing loss, the two made sure to comment briefly to catch up. It would be a surprise to none if, at that moment, Schottenheimer was already planning to hint at the idea for Leonhard to join him one day in Dallas.
