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The New York Jets will be looking for a new head coach in 2025 after the Robert Saleh regime failed to produce a winning record in four seasons, let alone a playoff berth.
Jets Wire will be breaking down each candidate that receives an interview detailing their experience as well as their highs and lows of their coaching career. In the end, we’ll determine if the candidate is worth a shot or if the Jets should pass for someone better.
For the latest spin on the Jets coaching carousel, we look at one of the top assistants available, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator and former Jets player, Aaron Glenn.
Playing Career
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Glenn was drafted by the Jets with the 12th pick of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played in New York from 1994-2001 and only missed 10 games in eight seasons. His best year was in 1996, when he had four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. Glenn had a true nose for the ball with 24 interceptions in eight seasons with New York.
Glenn was selected by the Houston Texans in the 2002 NFL expansion draft. He played in Houston for three seasons and had 11 interceptions. Glenn played two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, followed years with the Jacknsonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints, respectively. In his 15 year career, Glenn had 543 tackles and 41 interceptions. Glenn had at least 3 or more interceptions in eight of the 15 seasons he played.
Life After Football
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Glenn’s first job after football was with the Jets, where he was hired as a defensive scout. In 2014, he was hired by as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Cleveland Browns. In 2016, he became Defensive backs coach with the New Orleans Saints and Sean Payton.
Dan Campbell was an Assistant Head Coach on Payton’s staff in New Orleans and made Glenn his defensive coordinator when he became Detroit’s head coach in 2021. Glenn’s first two seasons as defensive coordinator were not good as the Lions finished towards the bottom of the league in most categories.
One area they did improve on defense during Glenn’s first two years was in turnover differential, where the Lions went from a -4 in 2021 to a +7 in 2022. Only the 49ers, Cowboys and Eagles were better that year.
Detroit’s defense has improved in each season with Glenn as coordinator. In 2024, The Lions finished fifth overall against the run and eighth in turnover differential with a +9. Over Glenn’s four seasons as defensive coordinator, the Lions went from allowing an average of 27.5 points per season to 20.1. Glenn’s expertise at stopping the run and forcing turnovers is exactly what the Jets need as they struggled badly with both this year.
Would Jets Wire Hire Him?
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The Verdict: Hell yeah!
It may seem a bit risky for the Jets to hire another first time head coach, but Glenn is more than capable of handling the pressure of New York. He’s smart, will hold players accountable and has worked under some of the best coaches in the NFL.
Various reports say that Glenn wants to be the next head coach of the Jets. At a recent press conference, he reiterated that while he is a defensive coach, he understands offense and intends to talk to the offense just as much as the defense. It’s a bit refreshing to hear that from a head coaching candidate and let’s hope he stays true to his word.
Glenn has all the tools necessary to lead the Jets out of the longest current postseason drought in all of sports. He’s passionate about the game and his players love him. Current Jets players including Jermaine Johnson are already advocating for him to get the job. Glenn should be towards the top of the list to be the next head coach of the Jets in 2025.