Wisconsin will switch from head coach Paul Chrystaccording to a statement from the university on Sunday night.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhardpursuant to that announcement, will assume the position of head coach on an interim basis.
“After an honest and genuine conversation with Coach Chryst about the long-term benefits of our football program, I have concluded that now is the time for a change in leadership,” said the athletic director. sports Chris McIntosh said in the release. “Paul is a man of integrity who loves his players. I have great respect and admiration for Paul and his and his family’s legacy at the University of Wisconsin.
“I also trust Jim Leonhard to lead the show for the rest of the season. There’s still a lot of seasons left to play and I know Jim will do an excellent job while the show is under his helm.”
Chryst finished 67-26 during his time in Wisconsin, including a 43-18 record in the Big Ten Conference. He also got 6-1 in bowl games.
Leonhard, the three-time American a safety for Wisconsin, will take over the team 2-3 after embarrassing losses to Ohio State (52-21) and Illinois (34-10) in head-to-head weekend. Illini is led by the former head coach of UW Bret Bielemawho broke the school’s 20-year loss record to the Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.
“I appreciate Chris McIntosh for placing his trust in me to lead our team,” Leonhard said in the same statement. “I am focused on our players and continue to prepare for our game on Saturday at Northwestern.
“I owe it to Coach Chryst a lot. Everyone in our program does. He gave me my first coaching job, and for that I am forever grateful. As a Badger, I thank him for the impact he has had on the football program and our players over the years.”
Leonhard has served as Wisconsin defensive coordinator since 2017. Last fall, the Badgers allowed just 239.1 yards per game, the third-best in school history and the lowest total at UW since 1954.
BadgerBlitz.com will have more on this developing story later this evening.
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