MSU Athletics

Cedric Leonard returned to Midwestern State in 2024 as the defensive line coach under head coach Rich Renner, who was the defensive coordinator when Leonard helped the Mustangs win the Lone Star Conference championship in 2017 as a graduate assistant. 

Leonard was the defensive line coach and diversity coordinator at Oklahoma Baptist for five seasons. Leonard recruited talent that helped the Bison reach the postseason for the first time in school history in 2021, when they beat UT Permian Basin in the Heritage Bowl, 24-21.

Leonard served as a mentor to the athletes while leading a defensive line that set numerous school records, including most sacks and most tackles for loss.

In 2023, Leonard coached defensive lineman Brett Karhu, who set school records and led the GAC with 11.5 sacks and 18.5 sacks for loss. Karhu was fourth in the nation in sacks and top 10 in tackles for loss.

Karhu was OBU’s first All-American since becoming an NCAA Division II school.

The Bison were top five in total defense among Division II schools and among the best in pass defense, allowing just 146.3 yards per game through the air.

In 2021, OBU led the Great American Conference with 34 sacks and 79 tackles for loss.  He guided All-GAC defensive tackle Robert Lolofie, who recorded nine sacks to lead the league. 

Leonard was selected as a Minority Rising Star by the American Football Coaches Association as he helped grow the culture at OBU. He also had a positive influence on student athletes throughout the campus.

Leonard was a defensive lineman with Troy before transferring to North Alabama. Leonard played for legendary head coach Bobby Wallace, who led North Alabama to three consecutive national championships from 1993-95.

Leonard earned All-State honorable mention as a senior defensive lineman at St. Jude High School in Montgomery, Alabama, where he was a team captain and also lettered in track and field. 

Leonard is the son of Cedric D. Leonard and Tushima Barnette and has two sisters.