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MADISON, Wis. — After not getting the head coaching job at Wisconsin, Jim Leonhard tweeted on Tuesday night that he will be the Badgers defensive coordinator in the upcoming Guaranteed Rate Bowl game, but then he will be leaving the program.

Leonhard was the Badgers interim head coach for the last seven games of the regular season after Paul Chryst was fired on Oct. 2, where he posted a 4-3 record. 

After the Badgers last regular season game, Wisconsin hired Cincinnati’s head coach Luke Fickell, who went 57-18 in his six seasons and led the Bearcats to a College Football Playoff appearance last season.

Wisconsin Athletic Director Chris McIntosh talked about a variety of topics with Dennis Krause on Wednesday, including his reaction to Leonhard’s departure.

Dennis: Chris, I’m sure it was part of your calculus that Jim Leonhard might leave and indeed he’s announced that he will after the bowl game, your reaction to that.

Chris: What I’m left with is just so you know a lot of gratitude for what Jimmy means to our program. I think you know the priority here was to figure out what’s best for Jimmy and for his family and for the program ,and you know, the conclusion that was reached I think is one that you know. I’ve got a lot of respect for and doesn’t change at all how I feel about Jimmy, and how highly I hold him, and how much respect I have for him how much love I have for him and his family. And so, I’m excited to see what his next chapter is.

Dennis: Chris, what was it about Luke Fickell that separated him from the pack and that you knew he was the guy you wanted?

Chris: Luke has been no secret he’s been a highly sought-after coaching candidate for years now, and I think when you really look into it, and and tear it apart you realize, beyond just his incredible accomplishments you get to know the person who he is and his family and what his approach is and for me, he just represented the total package.

Dennis: His [Luke’s] salary has been publicized. I’m sure you’d like it known that most of that is funded privately correct?

Chris: Yeah that’s a great point Dennis and you know the vast majority of this contract is funded through private donations earmarked for for purposes of Athletics through the foundation. There is a misconception for many years now that taxpayer dollars are used to fund our operation and it’s worth just dispelling that every opportunity I get that’s not how those aren’t the funds that our used to pay for for our operation much less coach Fickell salary.

Dennis: So who coaches the team in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl?

Chris: Yeah I think you know Jimmy and Luke have spent a fair amount of time talking about that. I think you’ll obviously they’re both going to have big roles. I’d expect to see Coach Fickell very involved in that, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the one wearing a headset as the head coach.”

Dennis: I’ve talked to a mutual friend who says Chris has never shied away from tough decisions and obviously you’ve made some getting rid of Paul Chryst, who I know you have high fondness for and going quote outside the family to hire Luke Fickell over Jim Leonhard essentially. What wires you to make those tough decisions?

Chris: The starting point is I’m guided by doing what I think is best for this program, and that’s the role I’m in that’s the job I have, and given the love I have for this program this football program, for this department, that’s just the way I see my role. And it is no doubt and you touched on it Dennis, that the decisions that I’ve made this fall have been difficult ones, and and they’ve been especially difficult because they affect people that I care for deeply and love, and their families, and that has been very difficult, but I’m guided by this responsibility that I have to make sure that this program continues to be successful into the future.”