Wisconsin Badgers News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Wisconsin Badgers Fans Have Buyers Remorse On Jim Leonhard After Loss To Minnesota

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated 11/26/22

Jim Leonhard and the Badgers lost a close one to Minnesota

The Wisconsin Badgers made it close at the end of their game Saturday. But they couldn’t score a late touchdown to tie the Minnesota Golden Gophers on their final drive. The Badgers dropped to 6-6 as they lost to their rival 23-16 Saturday. It was a rough loss for interim head coach Jim Leonhard and the Badgers at home.

Leonhard is expected to be announced as the Badgers’ head coach shortly. He was able to help turn around the Badgers season and get the team bowl eligibility. However, the Saturday loss ensured Minnesota would take the Paul Bunyan’s Axe trophy for the second consecutive season.

Badgers fans have mixed feelings about Leonhard

Badgers fans have been split on the Leonhard hire so far. Leonhard has done well this season since he took over the program. However, the Badgers have lost recruits, and the hire does have some risk. The program posted the head coach job opening last week. The Badgers could have been better served by looking for a slam dunk hire, as the coaching carousel starts in the next month. Fans voiced their opinions about Leonhard on Twitter after the game. Here are the best takes:

I’m kinda torn because one hand, I feel like if Jim Leonhard doesn’t get the job at Wisconsin then half the team will enter the transfer portal, but on the other hand, we lost of very winnable games after he took over for us this year. Idk what to say
— Joe Barry = the Devil (@GOATRodgersSZN) November 27, 2022

Leonhard should not be hired as full time coach. 25 yards in penalties show his incompetence. PJ Fleck is a jerk but he a great coach compared to Jim Leonhard. His defense stinks. Graham Mertz is a coach killer.
— Drgradinjan (@drgradinjan) November 27, 2022

Still think Jim Leonhard is the right man for the job. Need an offensive scheme That spreads the field so Braelon Allen runs against a six man box, dedicated special teams coach, and better secondary play.
— Kirk Eastenson (@Eastyfor3) November 27, 2022

Jim Leonhard hasn't helped himself during his trial run.

Might be time to just clean house. https://t.co/6C8hhpceQA
— Jason (@janelson38) November 27, 2022

I can’t believe I don’t want Jim Leonhard to coach the Badgers anymore. I just cannot believe it came to this.
— Christian (@c_erd69) November 27, 2022

Jim Leonhard is going to be named the head coach tomorrow and it’s going to feel so wrong.
— Matt Zeske (@MZeske) November 27, 2022

Are we sure about Jim Leonhard? “But the players love him and want him” yes we’ll they also loved Chryst and didn’t want him fired. I don’t want the players making this hire. Throw the bag at Aranda
— Grog (@grggnthr) November 27, 2022

Anything who thinks Leonhard ain’t the guy for the job after today is stupid. He didn’t recruit this inept offense and doesn’t call plays. Jim Leonhard is the guy to lead this team. #Badgers
— Badger Steve (@UW_Steve) November 27, 2022

Jim Leonhard torched by a backup QB? He really WOULD have fit right in in GB.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) November 27, 2022

Jim Leonhard is still the guy.
— Dan (@joosten256) November 27, 2022

Tonight made me realize that Jim Leonhard might just be a younger Paul Chryst, which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world but would be a big let down seeing how so many people think he's going to raise the ceiling for this program.
— Arianit Ismaili (@a_ismaili) November 27, 2022

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: