Jim Leonhard missed out on the Wisconsin coaching job as Luke Fickell was reportedly hired as head coach. Leonhard took over as interim head coach earlier this year. The deal is still being worked through and has not been officially announced by the Badgers as of 5 p.m. Sunday.

The news came as a big surprise to some and many people in and around Leonhard’s circle have reportedly all used the word “blindsided” when talking about the hiring.

Leonhard was able to forge a solid season following Paul Chryst’s firing. He led the Badgers to a 6-6 season and kept morale high as Wisconsin navigated the bizarre year. While there is a chance Leonhard could be retained by the Badgers, it is believed to be unlikely as Fickell brings in a new coaching staff.

Fickell comes in from Cincinnati, where he coached from 2017 to 2022, leading the Bearcats to their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2021.