After an extensive search, the Jets finally have a new head coach.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is the pick to lead Gang Green, according to sources.
Glenn met with the team starting on Tuesday in Florham Park. This was his second interview with the team, following a virtual interview earlier this month.
No other coaching candidate received a second interview from the Jets.
Glenn left Florham Park Tuesday night without reaching a deal. But the Jets and Glenn wanted to continue talking, according to sources. Reportedly, before anything was finalized, the Jets began informing other candidates that they were no longer being considered.
After the Lions lost to the Commanders on Saturday night, Glenn was able to take second interviews with teams. He had a second interview scheduled with the Saints, where he played and was an assistant coach, for their coaching job later this week.
Glenn’s interview with the Saints was scheduled for Wednesday but postponed after a snowstorm hit the New Orleans area. He has also previously spoken to the Jaguars and Bears about their coaching openings, but Glenn accepted the Jets job instead.
Gang Green was considered a playoff contender entering the 2024 season after the return of Aaron Rodgers. However, the team finished a disappointing 5-12, and coach Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas were both fired in-season.
Glenn’s history with Gang Green is well known. The Jets selected the cornerback in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft, and he played eight seasons in the organization, making two Pro Bowls.
After his playing career ended, the Jets hired Glenn, 52, as a scout in 2012. He stayed with the team for two seasons before becoming a coach. Since then, Glenn has worked as an assistant with the Browns, Saints and Lions organizations and has been Detroit’s defensive coordinator for the last four years, helping turn around the team’s defense.
Glenn has no previous head coaching experience, but he has been praised as a culture builder after he and Dan Campbell helped the Lions go from bottom feeders to contenders.
Glenn’s defense dealt with many injuries throughout this season. However, en route to a 15-2 record, the Lions ranked seventh in scoring defense, allowing the second-lowest completion percentage (61.1%) and the lowest passer rating (82.0) in the NFL.
Those injuries affected the Lions’ defense during their divisional-round loss to the Commanders. Glenn’s defense allowed 481 yards and 31 points in the first half.
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