Lions Defensive Coordinator wants to be Jets Head Coach: Who is Aaron Glenn?
Aaron Glenn, Jets via @NYJets_Media
The New York Jets have cast a "wide net" for their head coaching search. From the likes of interviews with Aaron Glenn to Matt Nagy to Rex Ryan, this coaching search has been a doozy. They've requested to interview over 15 candidates, and the list continues to increase every day. It all started with Ron Rivera and has grown to, thankfully, bigger heights. Since Vrabel's signing with New England, the Jets' top candidate will not be available for them. ESPN's Rich Cimini reported that the Jets could have two favorite candidates: Lions Defensive Coordinator or Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores. Both coaches have coached two of the best defenses in football. Many have criticized the Jets for going down this route for defense again, but it may be the best direction for them. This is Aaron Glenn:
Lions Defensive Coordinator: Aaron Glenn
The former New York Jets first-round pick, CB Aaron Glenn, is now coaching as a defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions. Glenn was previously interviewed by the Jets for their 2021 head coaching search when they hired Robert Saleh. The interest between Glenn and the Jets is mutual, which could make for a reunion. Brian Costello reported that Glenn's preferred coaching job is with the New York Jets. Glenn is among the big names available in this coaching carousel. The Jets and Saints are the two favorites to land Glenn. His ties with the Jets, obviously, go back to the seven years he played with them from 1994-2001. His ties to the Saints stem from his last season as a player in 2008, where he played for them, and his time as the Defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020.
From 2021-2024, in every season, Aaron Glenn has improved and continued to develop a better defense. He took the dead last, 32nd defense in football, according to PFF.com, to new heights throughout his four-year tenure as Lions defensive coordinator. He struggled to find consistency in his first season, specifically in the pass rush. The run defense and pass defense were awful, which led to them being ranked 30th in overall defensive ranking. A year later, the defense slightly improved, but it wasn't anything of much substance. They'd finish 2022 with a 28th overall defensive ranking. The defense was still raw, and future star players were extremely young.
However, 2023 was the year that the Lions defense became legit. With the emergence of young stars Aidan Hutchinson, Brian Branch, and Alim McNeil, the defense took the next step they needed to take to revive the Detroit Lions franchise. The defense was ranked 13th in overall defensive ranking and helped the Lions win the NFC North with a 12-5 record. Although the defense would allow some offensive players to have a great game, the defense was something to be proud of. The Lions would find themselves one win away from the Super Bowl. This would only lead to big expectations for the following season.
In 2024, the SKY was the limit for the Lions. The expectations were through the roof, and Detroit had to live up to them. After suffering a gruesome leg injury in Week 6, star Aidan Hutchinson would be out for the 2024 season. Immediately, hearts were broken, and the pessimists considered the Lions toast. Before Hutchinson's injury, the defense was ranked in the top 10 and was considered one of the best in football. Aaron Glenn coached his players to some of their limits and showed a new aggressive side. They needed this aggressiveness, and they showed it. The Lions finished the season 15-2 and were tied for the best record in the NFL. The defense finished ranked 15th in the overall defensive ranking. However, this ranking doesn't appropriately show how strong this defense was. The Lions tried replacing Hutchinson with Za'Darius Smith, who's been on the decline but had 4 sacks in 8 games. You can't perfectly replace someone with Hutchinson's talent, but Smith was not a bad player at all for Detroit. The Lions' defense has played well under Glenn and has vastly improved.
He holds his players accountable, which is something this team desperately needs. The Lions served as the best 3rd down defense in football this year with a 32% opponent 3rd down conversion rate. In perspective, the Jets' defense was ranked 14th in 3rd down conversion. The Lions also allowed the fourth least rushing yards this season (98.4 rushing yards), and the Jets allowed the seventeenth most (121.1 rushing yards). Glenn would do wonders for this defense and hold his players accountable. The only worry would be the staff he brings in. Who would his offensive coordinator be? The options could be someone from the Lions staff, Tanner Engstrand, who serves as the Lions passing game coordinator; Scottie Montgomery, who serves as the Lions assistant head coach / RB coach; or a Jets reunion with John Morton, who currently serves as the Broncos passing game coordinator. Glenn and Morton worked with the Saints and Detroit at the same time. Morton stands out due to his time as the Jets Offensive Coordinator in 2017, he did the most he could with such a limited roster.
This quote from Glenn in a press conference should give fans hope about an electric offense under Glenn as head coach: "I just happen to be on defense. I understand the offense just as well as a number of people. If you want to hire me, you're going to hire a coach."
Will the Jets choose Glenn?
