Jim Leonhard hires former Wisconsin assistant away from Minnesota

[ASFN Admin]

The Buffalo Bills and recently-hired defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard are hiring former Wisconsin assistant Bobby April III as their new outside linebackers coach, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

April, who left the Badgers following the 2022 season, spent the last three years as Stanford's defensive coordinator. The longtime defensive assistant coached outside linebackers for the Badgers under Leonhard from 2018-22, helping to develop top talent including Andrew Van Ginkel, Zack Baun and Nick Herbig.

Notably, April left Stanford earlier this offseason to become the rush-ends coach at Minnesota. He now departs that position just over a month after his hiring. The coach's move to Buffalo is good news for the Badgers, as it takes a top defensive assistant with significant ties to Wisconsin away from their biggest rival.

April isn't the only former Badger joining Leonhard's support staff in Buffalo; the Bills also hired former Wisconsin defensive back Jay Valai as their defensive backs coach.

The #Bills are hiring Bobby April III as their new OLBs coach, source said. He was the DC at Stanford the last 3 years, and previously to that, he worked with Jim Leonhard at Wisconsin. April was with the Bills 10 years ago, as well.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 2, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football Jim Leonhard hire coach Bobby April from Minnesota

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