Belt calls Leonhard the favorite for DC

[TheSport78]

If Will McClay likes him that's good enough for me.

I agree. He was spot on with his assessment last year when he said we had a three down back in Zeke Elliott.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Jerry wants someone with more experience.

Leonhard isn’t seasoned vet at DC. But he’s closer to DC than Whitecotton

We all know what Jerry wants and he's a moron.

Leonard has more coaching experience than Whitecotton. You guys overrate our coaches just as bad as Jerry can pick them.

 

[cowboyed]

We need some young blood and fresh ideas. Nobody over 50.......which I realize disqualifies me from the job.

King Jim the Leonharded.

 

[Kwyn]

https://bolavip.com/en/nfl/top-paid-nfl-defensive-coordinators

That’s a junk site that uses ai to create its “features”. The “journalists” are basically content editors who arrange the AI spew into an appropriate flow. The same ones will “curate” such a far ranging bunch of nonsense that it’s obvious they barely read it.

Sorry bud but that’s the way things are headed

 

[DuncanIso]

When the cowboys made a quick decision to fire Eberflus it was all about Leonhard as they only had this week to talk to him as Denver was on their bye

I think they knew Eber was done since mid season, at the least.

 

[Cowboyny]

I think they knew Eber was done since mid season, at the least.

They don't come out saying they will be taking their time to evaluate the coaches, then do it the next day without a reason. Clearly, Schott is running the search based on the early interviews and they reason why they had to start early was to talk to the teams on their playoff byes.

 

[Carson]

We all know what Jerry wants and he's a moron.

Leonard has more coaching experience than Whitecotton. You guys overrate our coaches just as bad as Jerry can pick them.

No where in there did it say I preferred or wanted Whitecotton lol

I am team Leonhard 100%

 

[CT Dal Fan]

even if it's a mazi or taco!

I always thought Taco was a Rod Marinelli scheme pick.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I agree. He was spot on with his assessment last year when he said we had a three down back in Zeke Elliott.

From 2016-2020 this assessment would be correct. He was just a little late with it.

 

[Risen Star]

I agree. He was spot on with his assessment last year when he said we had a three down back in Zeke Elliott.

He said he was still a premier back.

It is comforting to have his set of eyes in the building.

 

[speedkilz88]

Wisconsin (2016)
Defensive backs coach

Wisconsin (2017–2022)
Defensive coordinator & defensive backs coach

Wisconsin (2022)
Interim head coach

Illinois (2023)
Senior football analyst

Denver Broncos (2024)
Defensive backs coach & pass game coordinator

Denver Broncos (2025–present)
Assistant head coach & defensive pass game coordinator

 

[ak47kaehu]

He's our leader. Anyone who gives us Taco and Mazi deserves that respect.

He got us wonderlic Mo too right?

 

[Risen Star]

He got us wonderlic Mo too right?

He was the Director of Football Research when Claiborne was drafted. So probably not.

 

[cowboyz]

I know we aren't supposed to post Ai information here but I DO believe some AI will benefit us all and also if it factually make us smarter what is the problem.

It should be in support of our collective with disclaimer at all times. Anyways, the below answer is Ai generated from Elon's SuperGrok. Form your own opinion. It is the world we live in and no malice towards the forum owners.

This is SuperGrok's (Elon's Ai) response on Leonhard. It's just for info and everyone should form their own opinion.

>>> Grok input --- Is jim leonhard a good defensive coordinator?

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Grok Answer:

Yes, Jim Leonhard is widely regarded as an excellent defensive coordinator — one of the best in recent college football history, with strong early success translating to the NFL level.

From 2017–2022, as defensive coordinator at Wisconsin (his alma mater), Leonhard consistently built elite units in the Power-5/Big Ten. His defenses ranked among the nation's top performers in multiple key categories over that span:

• Frequently top-5 nationally in total defense and top-10 in scoring defense (multiple seasons).
• Led Power-5 teams in yards allowed per game (288.0), first downs allowed (15.4), and third-down conversion percentage (30.8%) from 2017–22.
• Standout years included 2021 (No. 1 in total defense nationally) and multiple top rankings in rushing defense, pass efficiency, and takeaways.

These numbers made Wisconsin one of the most feared and complete defenses in college football during his tenure, earning him Broyles Award finalist recognition (top assistant coach) in his first year as DC.

After a brief stint as a senior analyst at Illinois in 2023, he jumped to the NFL in 2024 with the Denver Broncos as defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator. He was quickly promoted to assistant head coach/defensive pass game coordinator. Under his influence, the Broncos' secondary thrived — cornerback Pat Surtain II won AP Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024, and the unit ranked highly in pass defense metrics (e.g., top-6 in fewest passing TDs allowed and strong passer rating against).

As of January 2026, Leonhard remains with Denver but has drawn significant interest for defensive coordinator roles elsewhere — including an interview request from the Dallas Cowboys for their vacancy. Multiple reports describe him as a "fan favorite," "excellent coach," and one of the most promising defensive minds in the league, with teams viewing him as a potential play-caller.

In short, his track record shows innovative, disciplined schemes that excel at stopping both the run and pass while generating turnovers and varying pressures — without relying on reckless blitzing. The consensus across analysts, former players, and teams is that he's not just good... he's elite, especially for someone relatively young in his coaching career (he's 43). If he lands a full DC role soon, expectations are sky-high."

gemini also seems to support jim leonhard


You are absolutely right to point that out—I misspoke regarding his current status. Al Harris is currently with the Chicago Bears, where he is serving as the Defensive Pass Game Coordinator under head coach Ben Johnson.1


His departure from Dallas after the 2024 season was a massive storyline, especially given his role in turning Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland into All-Pros.2 Now that we are in the January 2026 coaching cycle, the Cowboys are officially looking to fill their DC vacancy (following the Matt Eberflus era).3
+1

Based on the 2026 Cowboys roster—which is now built around a massive, high-priced interior line (Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa)—here is the updated analysis of who fits best.

---

1. The Best Fit: Jim Leonhard​

Since Al Harris is in Chicago (and likely being blocked from lateral moves unless it’s for a full DC job), Jim Leonhard remains the statistical "Gold Medal" fit for Dallas.

• Why he fits the "New" Cowboys: Leonhard’s scheme is designed to funnel everything to the interior. With the Cowboys spending so much on Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, they need a DC who doesn't require "elite" linebackers to stop the run. Leonhard uses light boxes and 3-high safety looks that rely on the DTs to win 1-on-1.
• The "Draft Pick" Factor: Dallas has two 1st-rounders in 2026 but very little depth. Leonhard is famous for making "no-name" safeties and late-round corners play like high-draft picks.
• Formula Score: He currently holds the highest $E_{ROI}$ in my 2025-2026 tracking.

2. The "Aggressive" Fit: Zach Orr​

As of this week (January 13, 2026), the Cowboys have officially scheduled an interview with Zach Orr.

• The Strategy: Orr brings the "Ravens DNA." If the Cowboys want to use Quinnen Williams as a disruptor rather than just a space-eater, Orr is the man. He utilizes "Queen-on-the-chessboard" tactics where he moves his best pass rusher around to find the weakest link on the offensive line.
• The Connection: Orr is a North Texas (UNT) and DeSoto native. He understands the "Cowboys pressure" and fits the culture Jerry Jones is currently trying to reset.

3. The "Internal" Option: Aaron Whitecotton​

The Cowboys have also virtually interviewed their current DL coach, Aaron Whitecotton.4

• The Case: He is the one who coached up this specific 2025-26 defensive line. If the Cowboys want to keep the "Heavy Trench" identity without changing the terminology for their most expensive players, Whitecotton is the stability hire.
• Formula Note: His $P_r$ (Pressure Rate) in 2025 was top-tier, but his $EPA_{pass}$ was lower because the secondary struggled under the previous scheme.

---

2026 Candidate Comparison for Dallas​

Candidate	Current Team	Fit for Quinnen/Clark	Secondary Strategy
Jim Leonhard	Broncos (Asst)	Elite (Gap Control)	3-High Safety (Protective)
Zach Orr	Ravens (Ex-DC)	Good (Movement/Blitz)	Aggressive Press-Man
Jonathan Gannon	Free Agent	Average (Zone-Heavy)	Static 2-High Shell

The Bottom Line for 2026:
The Cowboys' biggest mistake was letting Al Harris walk to Chicago.5 To fix it, they need to "poach" a mind like Leonhard who can replicate Harris’s secondary development while maximizing the $100M+ they’ve invested in the defensive line.
Would you like me to look into whether Al Harris is a candidate to return to Dallas as the full Defensive Coordinator, or if Chicago is expected to promote him to DC to keep him?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Looks like Gemeni is stupid.

 

[JBS]

Looks like Gemeni is stupid.

Hahah

 

[Proof]

You don't suppose Dallas might be mistaking him for Kellen Moore? He looks a bit like him.

should have gone with a boise state pic lol

 

[charron]

Whomever turns this defense around will be the next hot head coach candidate.

 

[WillieBeamen]

 

[WillieBeamen]

Leonard better be the second coming of Dick Lebeau and Buddy Ryan combined the way fans and media are stanning this guy