Badgers HC Chryst reflects on Jim Leonhard staying, other coaching staff changes

Wisconsin football head coach Paul Chryst is not often succinct when taking questions. But in his first media session Monday afternoon, he was succinct in one area. A reporter asked him about handling being a quarterbacks coach and play-caller along with his normal head coach duties. How does Chryst plan to juggle it?

“You just do it.”

One thing Chryst also has to just do is adjust to new staff coming in.

With the first spring practice a day away, Chryst is excited for new running back coach Gary Brown who worked with the Cowboys the last 7 years. Chryst says it was actually former Badger and Cowboy Travis Frederick who vouched for Brown to be brought in.

Several Badger assistants left for new jobs this year, but highly-regarded defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard decided to stay, despite interest from the Packers.

“I’m certainly not surprised by the attention he got,” Chryst said. “I shouldn’t speak for him, but I do think the big reason why he’s doing this is because this place means a ton to him.

“Some [coaches] have gone and you understand it. If it’s the right move for them you’re happy for them, and the ones who stay, you’re grateful for that too.”

Longtime Wisconsin running backs coach John Settle left this offseason for the same position at Kentucky. Defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield departed for the same position at Vanderbilt, and quarterbacks coach Jon Budmayr left to become the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Colorado State.

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