Jets hiring former player, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as new head coach

In 2012, he worked for the Houston Stallions, an indoor Texas football league, before joining the Jets as a personnel scout.

In 2014, Glenn moved into coaching, working as an assistant DBs coach for the Cleveland Browns. After two years, he was hired by the New Orleans Saints as their secondary coach under Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. In 2021, he moved to Detroit to become Dan Campbell’s defensive coordinator.

Devoid of talent early on in his tenure, Glenn’s early defenses struggled, particularly against the pass. The Lions improved as Detroit gave Glenn pieces that fit the physical man-defense style he desired to run. The Lions allowed the second-lowest completion percentage (61.1) and the lowest passer rating (82.0) in 2024.

Injuries gutted the Lions’ defense this season, seeing 16 players on that side of the ball hit injured reserve, including Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill and Carlton Davis — Detroit’s top edge rusher, top defensive tackle and top corner. The high of slowing Justin Jefferson and Minnesota in Week 18 was juxtaposed with the Divisional Round disappointment when Glenn’s defense couldn’t get off the field against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.

Glenn leaves Detroit as one of the key voices of the Lions’ turnaround from perennial doormat to league darling. Glenn was voted as the top defensive coordinator in an NFLPA survey following the 2023 season — given that his defense at the time was middling on the stat sheet, the honor spoke to his leadership qualities. Lions players have glowed about Glenn’s quality, often noting that he’s more than an X’s and O’s coach, he’s a born leader.

With the Jets amid another rebuild, Gang Green needed a steady, commanding pilot. They’ll get that in Glenn.