Wisconsin fans are already calling for Jim Leonhard to come back to Madison
Wisconsin fans are learning to adjust to new things in life with Luke Fickell’s first season in Madison. It’s not always easy to accept changes, and that was certainly the case Saturday night.
The Badgers went out west to face Washington State Saturday night and fell behind by a score of 24-9 entering halftime. Wisconsin did punch back after halftime with 13 unanswered points in the third quarter but was unable to complete the comeback.
In the end, Cameron Ward rallied the Cougars and finished off a 31-22 upset of the Badgers. Wisconsin faced a number of issues in that game, including a lack of consistent run game, 3 turnovers from the offense and a defense that allowed Washington State to convert 8-of-16 3rd-down conversions.
Throughout the game, fans of the Badgers began calling for Jim Leonhard to come home to Madison while others reminisced about the Wisconsin defense under his leadership. Of course, for this season Leonhard is at Illinois as a piece of Bret Bielema’s staff.
Either way, here’s a look at how Wisconsin fans are adjusting — or struggling to adjust — with Leonhard around:
Pay Jim Leonhard whatever he wants to come back and coach this defense.
— 𝕋𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕟 𝕎𝕀 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕤 (@TavernWISports) September 10, 2023
So Jim Leonhard’s contract with Illinois was only for one year, right? 🙄
— EricTheRed (@RealEricTheRed) September 10, 2023
I miss Jim Leonhard’s defense.
— Lisa (@lmyarbro) September 10, 2023
Jim Leonhard watching that half pic.twitter.com/aB0VQuxAs7
— Scary Alvarez (@barryisthedon) September 10, 2023
The ghost of Jim Leonhard might haunt Wisconsin’s defense this season
— Riley (@BadgersRiley) September 10, 2023
Badgers under Paul Chryst last year: Lost to Washington State by 3.
Badgers under Luke Fickell this year:
Lost to Washington State by 9.Should’ve kept Jim Leonhard. pic.twitter.com/IAEuvuazQ6
— Rob Schiff WKBT (Trust me) (@robschiff316) September 10, 2023
@BadgerFootball What a coaching/ play calling disaster… that’s all. Badgers looked like unprepared high schoolers. Is Jim Leonhard still available?
— Phil N LeBlanc (@FrankieJ31) September 10, 2023
$20 million, bring back Jim Leonhard
— Mara ✡️ (@SoulofSowell) September 10, 2023
@UWBadgers I know it is only 2 games, but is Fickell the right guy? Badgers sleepwalked through the first half – players looked like they did not want to be there. Pathetic! Pathetic! Pathetic! Jim Leonhard could not have done any worse!
— J (@twainsigma) September 10, 2023
Badgers defense is just despicable. Jim Leonhard should’ve never left. Fickell has the wrong staff. Terrible decision all around.
— Josh (@Conxeptt) September 10, 2023
Come back Jim Leonhard I’m so sorry baby
— mac 🍜 (@yungpapist) September 10, 2023