DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – In a week, the Detroit Lions have gone from the no. 1 seed in the NFC to losing their two top coordinators and a playoff game. Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn accepted the head coaching job for the New York Jets on Wednesday afternoon. On Tuesday, the Lions’ Offensive Coordinator, Ben Johnson, took the job as the Chicago Bears’ head coach.
Woody Johnson, the Jets chairman, said, “I’m excited to welcome Aaron Glenn home as the head coach of the New York Jets. Aaron earned this opportunity through almost three decades of NFL experience — 10 with us as a player and a scout. He brings tremendous leadership skills and the vision this organization needs to be successful. I am thrilled to see him lead this team.”
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The Jets have been Glenn’s dream situation since they drafted him in the first round in 1994. According to ESPN, Glenn has told friends that New York was his “dream job.”
Glenn interviewed with the Jets on Tuesday, 12 days after his virtual meeting with them. The interview lasted seven hours, and talks continued after he returned to Detroit.
Glenn says on New York, “This place is special for me. From the time I was drafted and practiced on Long Island, to the time I came back as a scout in New Jersey, this organization has always felt like home. I’m thankful to Mr. Johnson for this opportunity. To our players, prepare to be coached with everything we have. That is our responsibility. I ask that we share the same vision and that’s working towards winning a championship. To our fans, simply put, expect a winning team that you will be proud of.”
Glenn’s career started with the Jets in 2012-13 as a personnel scout after he played 15 years in the NFL for five different teams, starting in New York. He was an assistant coach at Cleveland and the Saints before coming to work for Detroit in 2021 as the Defensive Coordinator.
The defense wasn’t a strength for Detroit when Glenn arrived, as they were the 32nd-ranked scoring defense. By 2024, the defense improved to the seventh-best in the NFL with all the injuries.
The road ahead for Glenn is tough sorting through a 5-12 season, an Aaron Rodgers situation, no GM hired yet, and the no. 7 pick this year.
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