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Jim Leonhard will earn $600,000 in his first year as the University of Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator, $375,000 more than he made as the Badgers’ secondary coach in 2016.

Per documents released by UW Athletics, Leonhard is now on a two-year deal and set to make $600,000 this year and $625,000 in 2018.

Former Badgers defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, now Cal’s head coach, earned $500,000 last season but was set to make $950,000 in his second year with UW. Leonhard’s base salary of $300,000 equaled Wilcox’s, but their additional compensation agreements differed.

Leonhard, a former UW All-American safety and 10-year NFL veteran, had just one year of coaching experience before being promoted to defensive coordinator Feb. 2.

With his guidance of the Badgers’ secondary last season, UW ranked 30th nationally in passing defense and tied for second in interceptions (22).

What you need to know about the Wisconsin Badgers 2019 football season Review the University of Wisconsin 2019 football season, with players to watch and Big 10 stats comparison. Test your Badgers knowledge with the jersey number quiz!

After the release of compensation agreements for Leonhard and new inside linebackers coach Bob Bostad ($300,000 annually), along with an $80,000 pay raise for offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph, the Badgers’ assistant coaches are set to earn $255,000 more than last season.

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