Bills hire former player Leonhard as defensive coordinator

Buffalo, NY. — East Bills Player Jim Leonhard has been hired as the team’s new defensive coordinator, it was announced Saturday.

The appointment marks a change in direction on the defensive side of the ball after Sean McDermott was fired after leading the Bills and their defense for nine seasons.

Leonhard, 43, is currently the defensive pass game coordinator/assistant head coach denver broncos. This year, the Broncos’ defense gave up 68 sacks, four sacks short of the single-season record (72, 1984). Bear), and allowed the second fewest yards per game (278.2).

Leonhard joined the Broncos in 2024 as the defensive pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach.

Before that, he was a senior football analyst Illinois and spent 2016–22 coaching wisconsinThat includes spending all but one year as defensive coordinator and part of the 2022 season as interim head coach.

After undrafted out of Wisconsin, Leonhard played for the Bills from 2005 to 2007 and 2013. The 10-year NFL safety and special teams player also played for it. Baltimore Ravens, New York Jetsbroncos and cleveland browns.

Leonhard is the second Broncos coach that new Bills coach Joe Brady has added to his staff in a coordinator role. The Bills also hired Pete Carmichael as their offensive coordinator. Brady and Carmichael then worked-New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton in 2017–18.

Brady and Leonhard have never overlapped on a coaching staff before.

“I only get one opportunity to be a head football coach,” Brady said during his introductory press conference. “I’m not in the business of hiring my friends, and I want to make sure that I get the best football coach for these players because they deserve it, and so, that’s what’s important to me.”

Also met Leonhard los angeles chargers And the Ravens for defensive jobs.