Rob Leonard enters his second season as the defensive line coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024. Leonard now has 14 years of coaching experience, including 11 seasons coaching in the NFL ranks.
Last season (2023), the Raiders defense recorded 46 total sacks, tied for the 13th most in the NFL. The Raiders' 46 sacks were also the most in a single season by the Silver and Black since 2010 (47). Under Leonard, DE Maxx Crosby finished the season ranked tied for first in the NFL in tackles for loss (23), sixth in sacks (14.5) and third among NFL defensive lineman in tackles (90), en route to his third-straight Pro Bowl, second-career AP Second Team All-Pro selection and third-consecutive PFWA All-AFC selection. Leonard also saw DE Malcolm Koonce make a big improvement, recording a single-season career-high 8.0 sacks, the second most on the team and tied for the fourth most in a single season in Raiders history by a player in their first three seasons.
Leonard joined the Raiders after spending one season with the Baltimore Ravens as an outside linebackers coach in 2022. In 2022, Leonard helped Baltimore's defense rank in the top-5 in four categories: No. 3 in points allowed per game (18.5), No. 3 in defensive red zone TD percentage (46.4), No. 3 in rushing yards per game (92.1) and No. 4 in third-down efficiency (34.9). Under Leonard's guidance, his unit combined for 19.5 sacks, including OLB Justin Houston who recorded 9.5 sacks and became the first Ravens defender in franchise history to produce three straight multi-sack games.
Prior to Baltimore, Leonard spent three years (2019-21)with the Miami Dolphins, where he held multiple positions during his tenure….He led a linebacker corps that produced 329 total tackles, 34 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks, while tying for the NFL's fourth-most quarterback hits (61) over that span…
Under Leonard's tutelage in 2021, rookie OLB Jaelan Phillips finished with a Dolphins' rookie record with 8.5 sacks, good for second among all NFL rookies.
As the assistant defensive line coach in 2020, Leonard helped Miami's defense finish first in the NFL in both takeaways (29) and third-down defense (31.2 percent)….Spent the 2019 season as Miami's linebackers coach, helping Baker rank fourth in the AFC with 124 total tackles.
He spent the first six seasons of his NFL coaching career (2013-18) as an assistant with the New York Giants.
In 2018, Leonard served as outside linebackers coach, helping DE Olivier Vernon lead New York with seven sacks and 21 QB hits…As the assistant defensive line coach in 2017, helped guide DT Damon Harrison to produce 76 tackles, which ranked second on the team and led all NFL defensive linemen.
From 2013-16, Leonard was part of a staff that coached the NFL's most-improved defense, going from 32nd (420.3 yards per game) in 2015 to 10th (339.7 yards per game) in 2016 in total yards allowed…That season, the Giants finished 11-5 and earned a playoff berth…New York ranked eighth in the NFL in total defense in 2013, allowing just 332.3 yards per game.
Prior to joining the NFL ranks, Leonard coached at his alma mater, North Carolina State, where he was a graduate assistant for three seasons (2010-12), helping the Wolfpack appear in three consecutive bowl games.
In 2009, he served as a defensive assistant with Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, N.C.
Leonard was a three-year letterman at safety and linebacker at North Carolina State, initially joining the team as a walk-on before earning a scholarship following his freshman season at Washington & Jefferson College…In 2008, he led the Wolfpack with 95 tackles and earned the team's Mike Hardy Award, given annually to the player who plays beyond his capabilities.
PERSONAL: Attended Moon Area (Moon Township, Pa.) High School, where he earned first-team All-Conference honors as a cornerback, while also playing as a running back, kick returner and punter…He also earned second-team all-state honors at cornerback…Leonard and his wife, Anna, have two sons, Bo and Luke, and a daughter, Mary.
