Lions DC Aaron Glenn will be the next New York Jets head coach.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will be the next head coach of the New York Jets, according to several reports. Glenn leaves the Lions after serving as their defensive coordinator for the past four seasons.
Glenn is the second coordinator and third coach the Lions have lost to a promotion elsewhere this week. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson accepted the head coaching job of the Chicago Bears, and defensive line coach Terrell Williams will be the next Patriots defensive coordinator, per reports.
For Glenn, it’s an opportunity to rebuild the franchise that drafted him as a player back in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft. Glenn played for the Jets for eight seasons, making the Pro Bowl twice over that time. After his playing career was over, Glenn rejoined the franchise as a personnel scout for two seasons before starting his coaching career with the Cleveland Browns.
In Detroit, Glenn helped build the foundation of Detroit’s defense. Each year under his tutelage, the Lions had one of the youngest defenses in the league. For the first few years, it was rough, but it culminated in 2024, when Detroit’s defense finally went from the 23rd-scoring defense in 2023 to seventh in 2024. It likely would’ve been even better this past season had the Lions not lost over a dozen defensive players to injured reserve, including Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Alim McNeill, Derrick Barnes, and Carlton Davis.
But where his absence will be felt most is as a leader and mentor. According to a 2023 NFLPA survey, Glenn was the most popular coordinator in football.
“He’s as good a coach as you’re going to find, he’s an even better human being,” coach Dan Campbell said of Glenn. “Look, if nobody wants him, I’ll take him again. I can tell you that right now. The thought of going through another cycle and he’s not somebody’s head coach is ridiculous. I mean this guy is as good as they come, and he can do it all. He understands how to manage a game, he understands offense, defense, special teams, he knows how to communicate, he understands discipline of players and he’s motivating, he’s inspiring.”
Unfortunately for Campbell, he won’t get to have him for another season, as Detroit’s search for a new defensive coordinator begins.
