MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard says he has unfinished enterprise at his alma mater and wouldn’t have felt proper leaving after a pandemic-shortened season, even for a possibility as tempting as his residence state’s NFL group.

Leonhard was a first-rate candidate for the Inexperienced Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator place and had been provided the job in accordance with a number of reviews. however opted to return for a sixth season on Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst‘s workers. The Packers as an alternative employed Joe Barry as defensive coordinator.

“I like Madison,” Leonhard mentioned. “To me, there’s some unfinished enterprise with the College of Wisconsin. I like this group of youngsters and need to proceed to develop them. With COVID being the way in which it was final yr, I’d have felt a selected manner about myself having left after that season.”

Leonhard aimed excessive as he specified the character of his unfinished enterprise at Wisconsin, which opened spring observe this week.

“I got here right here desirous to win a nationwide championship, I got here right here desirous to win the Large Ten as a participant,” mentioned Leonhard, who performed security for the Badgers from 2001-04 earlier than beginning a 10-year NFL profession. “Nothing’s modified as a coach. We haven’t carried out that since I’ve been again. The objectives haven’t modified. I really feel like we’ve got a gaggle that may accomplish that.”

Wisconsin struggled to a 4-3 report final yr however ranked fifth nationally in whole protection and ninth in scoring protection. Wisconsin has completed within the high 5 in whole protection and high 10 in whole protection in three of Leonhard’s 4 seasons as defensive coordinator.

Leonhard acknowledged the Inexperienced Bay state of affairs was significantly engaging.

“They’re proper on the perimeter of a Tremendous Bowl and have been for some time now,” Leonhard mentioned. “Positively a troublesome resolution to should make.”

Jim Leonhard says he has ‘unfinished enterprise’ at Wisconsin initially appeared on NBCSports.com