Anthony Leonard

Title

Defensive Line
Email

a.leonard@iup.edu
Alma Mater

West Virginia '10
Twitter

@RoboLeonard

Anthony Leonard enters his fifth season on the IUP coaching staff in 2020. He's coached the Crimson Hawks' defensive line group each year since coming to Indiana in 2016.

Leonard has been a key piece on a coaching staff that has led IUP to a 41-8 (.838) overall record over the last four seasons. Leonard has helped the Crimson Hawks to a three NCAA Division II playoff appearances, including a national semifinal berth, and a PSAC Championship in 2017.

Leonard has led and coached a very talented group of defensive linemen since coming to IUP. That group includes two All-Americans, seven All-Super Region One selections, and nine All-PSAC West picks in the last four years. Rotating up to 10 players along the defensive front in any given year, Leonard's group has combined for 111 sacks and 195.5 tackles-for-loss over the last four seasons. That breaks down to nearly 28 sacks and 49 TFLs per year from the defensive linemen.

Both interior and outside edge rushers have flourished under Leonard's direction, including All-American selections Jemal Averette (DT) in 2017 and Dondrea Tillman (edge) in 2019. Edge rusher Deandre Easterling was a three-time all-region and first team All-PSAC selection from 2016-18. Tillman and Easterling are two of the greatest in program history at getting to the quarterback, ranking fourth and seventh, respectively, in career sacks.

Leonard and his defensive linemen had another huge season in 2019 as they helped make the IUP defense one of the best in Division II.

Senior end Dondrea Tillman earned All-American honors and was a first team All-PSAC West selection posting 7.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles-for-loss, and four forced fumbles. His 41 total tackles was most among the linemen and he added a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown at Mercyhurst.

Sophomore interior lineman Dajour Fisher was a second team all-conference selection, tying Tillman for the team-lead with 7.5 sacks while adding 10.0 TFLs.

Leonard's unit combined to finish with 27.5 sacks and 45.5 TFLs on the year. That pressure helped IUP rank 17th in Division II in scoring defense, 22nd in sacks, and 23rd in total defense.

Defensive linemen took a huge step for Leonard during his second season in 2017. Senior tackle Jemal Averette headlined the group as he earned All-American honors, was a nominee for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year, and earned first team all-region and all-league accolades. In addition, junior end Deandre Easterling was a second team all-region and first team all-league pick and sophomore end Dondrea Tillman landed all-league second team honors.

That year linemen combined for 35.5 sacks and 70.0 tackles-for-loss, which made up 97 percent and 78 percent, respectively, of the overall team totals. Easterling and Tillman made up the best edge rushing duo in the PSAC, as they combined for 27.5 TFLs and each had 8.5 sacks. Senior nose guard Justin Weldon, a first year starter, broke out with 50 tackles and 10.5 TFLs.

The 35.5 sacks by linemen in 2017 was a 77.5 percent increase from the 20 the year before. IUP finished with 36.5 sacks as a team with the 2.57 sacks per game ranking 36th in Division II.

The Crimson Hawks got to the quarterback more frequently in 2018, with the defensive linemen again leading the charge. Leonard's group totaled 28.0 of the 33.0 team sacks, with Tillman tying for sixth in Division II with 12.5 sacks. As a team, IUP ranked 21st in the country with 3.00 sacks per game.

Leonard came to IUP from West Virginia University, where he was the defensive graduate assistant and assistant linebackers coach for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. A former All-Big East linebacker at WVU, Leonard spent two seasons at his alma mater, helping the Mountaineers to Liberty Bowl and Cactus Bowl invitations.

Assisting with the linebackers, he mentored first team All-American Nick Kwiatkoski and honorable mention All-Big 12 selection Jared Barber. Leonard coached Shaq Petteway, who earned Defensive Player of the Game honors at the 2016 Cactus Bowl. He also assisted with the Western Pennsylvania and South Florida recruiting areas.

Leonard went to WVU after coaching the defensive line at West Virginia Wesleyan in 2013. He saw Marcus Spearman earn second team All-Mountain East honors while also serving as the program's assistant director for strength and conditioning.

Leonard entered the world of coaching after suiting up for West Virginia. A three-year team captain, he earned All-Big East honors in helping the Mountaineers' defense rank second nationally in 2010. He played in four bowl games at WVU – the 2008 Fiesta Bowl, 2008 Meinicke Car Care Bowl, 2009 Gator Bowl, and 2010 Champs Sports Bowl – and also earned the program's Gridiron Gladiator and Hammer Awards in his final season.

Leonard graduated from WVU in 2010 and spent time in the New England Patriots camp in 2011 after signing as a rookie free agent.

He graduated from McKeesport Area High School in 2006, where he was a first team All-State and All-WPIAL player an helped the Tigers to 2005 WPIAL and PIAA championships.

Updated June 11, 2020