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Jim Leonhard confirms former Wisconsin DB has joined Badgers’ coaching staff
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Jim Leonhard has added a former Badger to his coaching staff at Wisconsin, the interim head coach revealed on Thursday.
According to Leonhard, former Badger defensive back Collin Wilder is a part of the coaching staff moving forward. Leonhard praised the early signs of Wilder making the jump to the coaching staff after finishing his career in 2021.
“Wilder is a guy you just want to have around your players,” said Leonhard via Raul Vazquez with Badger Blitz. “It’s always amazing when you get former players around that you trust to continue to push the right message and keep your guys focus and keep them together. That was what he was all about as a player and we’ve had him in the building the last couple of weeks in that role.”
Continued.
“…and keep your guys focus and keep them together. That was what he was all about as a player and we’ve had him in the building the last couple of weeks in that role. Helping through the tough times really.” #Badgers— Raul Vazquez (@RaulV45) October 20, 2022
Wilder finished his team as a player with 32 career appearances (14 starts) for the Badgers. He was an All-B1G honorable mention in 2021 and finished his career with 82 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 5 interceptions and 12 pass breakups.
After testing the NFL Draft waters, Wilder retired and noted NFL teams told him his body “was too jacked up to play” at the next level. At least his time around football is not over as he tries to find his footing as a coach.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.