Led by coordinators Jim Leonhard and Joe Rudolph, the UW staff is a formidable team

Jeff Potrykus | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON – With a 34-7 record at Wisconsin and as one of only three coaches in Big Ten history to win at least 10 games in each of his first three seasons, Paul Chryst would be forgiven if he chose to gloat just a bit entering the 2018 season.

Yet Chryst, named Big Ten coach of the year in 2016 and ’17, has consistently put the spotlight on his assistants when asked about UW’s recent success.

Two of those assistants, offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, were rewarded with restructured contracts after UW finished 13-1 last season.

“They have earned it,” Chryst said, adding that every returning assistant received a pay raise.

Leonhard, who joined UW’s staff as secondary coach in 2016 and was promoted to defensive coordinator, is set to make $966,666 this season. That includes a base salary of $304,800, another $495,200 from the UW Foundation and a retention bonus of $166,666.

Leonhard’s total compensation package in 2017 was $600,000.

Rudolph is to be paid $775,000 this season. That includes a base salary of $304,800, another $420,200 from the UW Foundation and a retention bonus of $50,000.

“Each of them have a different (style),” Chryst said, “but bring a unique perspective to it that I know I value and appreciate. But I think more importantly our kids do.”

In 2016 Leonhard had to replace both starting safeties and one cornerback. UW’s secondary recorded 16 of the team’s 22 interceptions, including nine by first-year starting safeties Leo Musso (five) and D’Cota Dixon (four).

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UW finished 10th nationally in pass efficiency defense with a rating of 106.9. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 52.5% of their passes with 13 touchdowns in 14 games.

In his first season as defensive coordinator, UW finished second nationally in total defense (262.1 yards per game), third in scoring defense (13.9 points per game) and first in pass efficiency defense. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 48.6% of their passes and threw more interceptions (20) than touchdown passes (11).

Leonhard said no to overtures from Florida State, Alabama and Texas A&M and acknowledged he was taken aback by the attention.

“I’m not one of those guys…I don’t set the five-year plan,” he said. “My wife hates me for it but when I’m doing it I’m doing it. I don’t think of the next step. I’m not necessarily trying to figure out what the grand plan is.

“So when things come up it is like: ‘Really? I never thought of that.’ ”

Rudolph has done yeoman work as well, though his achievements sometimes go unnoticed outside UW.

“Rudy hasn’t gotten a ton of talk but I know the impact he had when he first came to Wisconsin,” Chryst said, “whether it be in recruiting or coaching.”

Rudolph’s first stint as a coach at UW was from 2008-’11, when he worked with the tight ends.

Lance Kendricks was taken in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft; Travis Beckum was taken in the third round in 2009; and Garrett Graham was taken in the fourth round in 2010.

“That stretch of tight ends we had didn’t just happen,” Chryst said.

Kendricks, a graduate of Milwaukee King, came to UW as a wide receiver. He was switched to tight end but played in just one game as a redshirt freshman in 2007 and then recorded six catches for 141 yards in ’08, his first season under Rudolph.

“A lot of people weren’t buzzing about Lance after his first or second spring,” Chryst said.

They were when Kendricks left UW. He was an All-American as a senior and in his final two seasons combined for 72 catches for 1,019 yards and eight touchdowns.

“I think what he and Lance Kendricks did together was one of the neatest stories," Chryst said.

Rudolph is preparing for his 11th consecutive season working with or for Chryst. After serving as UW’s tight ends coach from 2008-’11, he was on Chryst’s Pittsburgh staff from 2012-’14 before returning to Madison in ’15.

“I’ve loved it,” said Rudolph, like Leonhard a former standout player at UW. “I love working for Paul and working with this staff. I think guys appreciate being here. I think they appreciate the type of (players) we have.”

Chryst’s face lights up when asked about the job Rudolph has done with UW’s offensive line, particularly in 2015.

Largely because of injuries, UW used seven combinations that season, all coming in the first 12 games.

Senior Tyler Marz and redshirt freshman Michael Deiter were the only linemen to start all 13 games. Marz started every game at left tackle; Deiter started seven at left guard and six at center.

“You think of the job he has done with that group in helping them to continue to grow,” Chryst said. “I think in ’15, you’re talking about a young group. It was new for them and there was a lot going on for them. …

“Jimmy has had a great impact. I think both of them can impact more than their group. I think that is pretty powerful.”