Barry Alvarez wants Matt LaFleur to hire Jim Leonhard as Packers DC

Former Wisconsin coach and athletic director Barry Alvarez has an obvious suggestion for Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur as he begins his search for a new defensive coordinator.

Alvarez wants the Packers to hire Jim Leonhard, a Wisconsin native who starred on defense for Alvarez before playing 11 seasons in the NFL and then coaching seven seasons in Madison, including six as defensive coordinator.

"If I'm Matt LaFleur, I go get the best coach I could get, and that's Jimmy Leonhard," Alvarez said on ESPN Madison. "I think everybody's recognized his ability, they respect what he's accomplished, his knowledge. If they can get Jimmy Leonhard, they need to go get him."

Leonhard is currently the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator for the Denver Broncos, who are preparing to take on the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game this Sunday. There can be no contact between the Packers and Leonhard until after the game on Sunday, but an interview is possible starting next week.

LaFleur was interested in Leonhard becoming the Packers defensive coordinator in 2021, but the former Badger decided to stay in Madison over pursuing an NFL opportunity.

“It was me choosing UW,” Leonhard told Tom Oates and Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal in 2021. "I want to stay at UW. I want to be at this level right now. Extremely flattered. Awesome opportunity. But it was not the right time for me to go back to the NFL."

The Packers eventually hired Joe Barry, who lasted three seasons. LaFleur is now attempting to replace Jeff Hafley, who departed for the Miami Dolphins head coaching job after two years in Green Bay.

Leonhard, now 43, ended up being the interim coach for Wisconsin in 2022 but wasn't retained going into 2023. He eventually joined the NFL in 2024 as a part of Sean Payton's staff in Denver.

It's possible Leonhard will be a candidate to replace Vance Joseph as Broncos defensive coordinator if Joseph gets a job elsewhere. Leonhard has already interviewed with the New York Jets.

“If I’m Matt LaFleur, I’m going out and getting the best coach I can get… and THAT’S Jimmy Leonhard.”

Barry Alvarez with a mic-drop endorsement for the former #Wisconsin DC as the clear choice for the #Packers#OnWisconsin | #GoPackGopic.twitter.com/FxWETxMSxD— ESPN Madison (@ESPNMadison) January 21, 2026

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Barry Alvarez wants Matt LaFleur to hire Jim Leonhard as Packers DC