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Leonhard had experienced football success in every phase of his career, first as an in-state prep standout at Flambeau High, then as a walk-on who became a three-time All-America safety at Wisconsin, next as an undrafted player who went on to a 10-year NFL career and most recently in his first six-plus seasons as an assistant coach. He demonstrated during his coaching career that he had an excellent ability to connect with players, to help simplify concepts that may have seemed complicated.
Still, he recognized that this would be his most significant challenge yet. Drawing up game plans and schemes was one thing. Managing the emotions of college-aged players and helping to lift a program out of its shock was something else entirely.
Leonhard’s messaging focused on a few key areas, and he wanted to remain consistent in what he said. He told players they needed to get out of the building early in the week and process their feelings. He preached the value of compartmentalization and being able to focus on football during practices and meetings. He told them that he still had confidence in their abilities and that they could be the team they hoped to be if they held each other accountable and executed. Perhaps most important, he wanted to assure players that this was still Chryst’s team, and that wasn’t going to change even though there were going to be small tweaks.
What did Leonhard provide throughout the week?
“Juice,” Mertz said. “He was electric.”
Leonhard said he thought the team had turned a corner by the end of Tuesday and the start of Wednesday in prep work and practices. He noticed that the intensity, emotion and ability to focus all returned. By the time he walked off the bus to enter the stadium Saturday, he believed Wisconsin was ready.
“To me, there were a lot more nerves throughout the week than there were today,” Leonhard said. “Game day is game day. I’ve been a part of a lot of these. Obviously not in this role, but this is a reward. You put in the work, you put in the time and you should have confidence when you step off that bus that you have the right plan, you have the right guys. You’re going to put them in position to have success.”
