The 2022 college football season was a rollercoaster ride for the Wisconsin Badgers, but they came away with a bittersweet victory in the Guaranteed Bowl, 24-17 over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. On the one hand, Wisconsin football was able to win his game in his third bowl since 2020. On the other hand, it marked the end of Jim Leonhardt’s time at school.
Leonhardt, who was named interim head coach of Wisconsin Football after the Badgers ditched Paul Christo in a 4-3 starter last October, announced earlier this year that the Badgers’ program will be expanded beyond the 2022 campaign. announced that it would not participate in
Recognizing that, Fickel asked Leonhardt to stand on the podium while the Wisconsin footballers celebrated on the field after defeating Oklahoma.
Luke Fickel put Jim Leonhardt on the podium in his final game as Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator. really cool moment. pic.twitter.com/zff3EWbkTo
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) December 28, 2022
According to Sports Illustrated’s James Parks, Leonhardt had this to say about his future plans earlier this month:
“Having been able to put my heart and soul into the UW Football program over the past seven years has meant the world to me. At the end of the 2018 season, he will no longer be part of the staff.”
Fickel sat on the sidelines of a meeting with Oklahoma State University, but gave Leonhardt control over Wisconsin football. Overall, the Badgers have him 5-3 in 2022 under Leonhardt.
The former Cincinnati Bearcats head coach, who was hired by the Badgers in November, will spend time as Wisconsin football’s full-time sideline boss starting in 2023.