Scott Frost. Rich Rodriguez. Mike Leonard.
What do those three coaches have in common?
In what has become a theme already in the early 2024-25 coaching cycle, each of them are returning to their former stomping grounds to lead familiar programs as we head into the 2025 season.
At the conclusion of the 2019 season, following 17 years at the helm of the Franklin College Grizzlies (D-III - IN), Mike Leonard made the decision to step down as the school's all-time winningest head coach.
After five seasons away, the Grizzlies announced the return of their decorated coach today after launching a nationwide search.
He takes over for Alan Hensell, led the team the past five seasons to a 21-26 record, including a 3-7 mark this past fall.
Leonard steps back into the role he compiled an impressive 129-55 career record at, with a 106-20 mark in conference play.
The Grizzlies were a consistent playoff team under his leadership, qualifying for the postseason nine times and collecting nine wins, including a trip to the national quarterfinals in 2008 after knocking off Otterbein and North Central to finish the year 11-2 and ranked 8th nationally.
In the school's release, Leonard notes that he enjoyed doing many things the past five years after resigning, but realized he missed leading a group of young men toward a common goal while imparting life lessons along the way.
Leonard returns as an 2022 inductee into the Indiana Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
He takes over a Franklin team that finished fifth in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference league of seven teams, with Mount St. Joseph winning the conference with a perfect 6-0 record.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.