There’s a chance Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard leaves the university but stays within the state lines. The successful Badgers DC is reportedly up for a job in the NFL.

Wisconsin fans would probably feel somewhat comfortable knowing he’s interviewing for the vacancy with the Green Bay Packers.

ESPN’s Rob Demovsky is reporting that Leonhard is set to interview for the Packers’ defensive coordinator vacancy. Green Bay is looking to replace Matt Pettine, who had been the DC for the team for the past three seasons.

Leonhard, who was a three-time All-American selection at Wisconsin as a safety, has been the defensive coordinator for the Badgers since 2017 and has been with the program since 2016. He’s constantly mentioned among the best DCs in the B1G.

In 2020, the Badgers allowed just 17.4 points per game for the year, ranking 3rd in the B1G. Since Leonhard took over as defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, the defense has been one of the B1G’s best against the run. Only once over the last four seasons have the Badgers allowed an average of more than 100 yards per game on the ground.

Wisconsin’s run defense ranked first in the B1G in 2020, allowing just 96.1 yards per contest.

Leonhard’s name is mentioned frequently as a potential head coaching candidate, but he’s happy in Madison running an excellent defense. Could this opportunity in Green Bay be too much to pass up for the Wisconsin native?