5 of the final six coaches Jets proprietor Woody Johnson has employed have been defensive coaches.
Solely two (Eric Mangini and Rex Ryan) led the Jets to the playoffs.
Gang Inexperienced might rent one other defensive coach throughout its newest teaching search. Nonetheless, the highest candidate, Aaron Glenn, doesn’t take into account himself strictly a defensive coach — he describes himself as an all-around coach.
“I’m a coach, I just happen to be on defense,” Glenn stated throughout his weekly press convention on Wednesday. “I understand the offense just as well as a number of people.
“So if you want to hire me, you’re gonna hire a coach, you’re not gonna hire a defensive coach. I’m gonna talk to the offense just as much as I’m gonna talk to the defense.”
After lacking the playoffs for 14 straight years, the Jets want somebody like Glenn, who can affect all three phases (offense, protection, and particular groups).
Glenn has expertise as a participant, personnel scout and assistant coach. He’s additionally a disciple of Invoice Parcells and Sean Payton and is a tradition builder who has helped Lions gamers purchase into the group’s tradition.
The Jets interviewed Glenn on Jan. 9 for his or her teaching opening. He is likely one of the 10 candidates identified to interview for the place, with extra to return. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik will probably be interviewed on Thursday. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores will meet with the staff later this week.
Glenn, 52, is likely one of the favorites for the Jets job as a result of he, together with coach Dan Campbell, led the Lions to a 15-2 file and the No. 1 seed within the NFC this season. Detroit completed twentieth in complete yards (342.4) and seventh in factors allowed (20.1) regardless of being ravaged by accidents. That improved from the 2023 season when the Lions allowed 23.2 factors per recreation.
Glenn was additionally drafted by the Jets in 1994 and was a two-time Professional Bowler underneath Parcells. Nonetheless, his starting teaching journey separates him from many coaches.
Starting in 2012, Glenn labored as a scout within the Jets group for 2 seasons. He referred to as then-Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum concerning alternatives so he might begin his scouting profession, based on the staff’s official web site. Glenn then attended the 2012 Senior Bowl and NFL Mix on his personal dime.
After spending two seasons as a Jets scout, Glenn was employed because the Browns’ assistant defensive backs coach (2014-15) earlier than Payton employed him in 2016 because the Saints’ defensive backs coach. Glenn spent 5 seasons in New Orleans earlier than Campbell employed him because the Lions’ defensive coordinator after he bought the teaching job in Detroit.
Reportedly, Glenn has advised individuals near him that the Jets are his most popular vacation spot. Nonetheless, they aren’t the one staff probably serious about hiring Glenn. The Saints, Jaguars, Bears, and Raiders have both already interviewed Glenn or requested to take action.
Gang Inexperienced has forged a large web in its basic supervisor and training searches after firing Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh throughout a 5-12 season. The staff can not interview Glenn once more till the Lions both win the Tremendous Bowl or are eradicated.
“I think you learn a number of things from each year that you go through them, and you try to improve on those each year,” Glenn stated. “But the one thing that I get out of all these interviews is, ‘Man, I’m gonna be myself, and either you like it or you don’t.’
“If you don’t, all good. I keep telling you that I have a great job here. If you like it, and it’s an opportunity that I think is best for me and my family, then I’ll take a look at it. But had a really good time over the bye week looking at those. Now, we’re all locked in, ready to go play this game against Washington.”
The Patriots have been one other staff that requested to talk to Glenn. Nonetheless, Glenn declined the request, and New England didn’t waste time hiring Mike Vrabel.
The Patriots have been closely criticized for his or her hasty hiring of Vrabel. The NFL’s Rooney Rule requires that every staff with a training or basic supervisor emptiness interview two minority coaches earlier than hiring. New England introduced in Pep Hamilton and Byron Leftwich for interviews, however neither was thought-about a critical candidate for the place.
“I’ve never felt anything against that organization,” Glenn stated about declining the Patriots interview request. “It just wasn’t the best situation for me.”