The New York Jets are hiring Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their next head coach. Glenn becomes the eighth defensive-minded head coach for the Jets since 2000.
Aaron Glenn’s Journey To Become Jets Head Coach
A new coach in New York: Jets are hiring former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their new head coach, per sources.
The former Jets 1994 first-round pick, who became a personnel scout for the team, now is becoming their head coach. pic.twitter.com/eb3nu7it5C
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2025
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Glenn has agreed in principle to become the Jets’ next head coach. Glenn becomes the 22nd head coach in the organization’s history.
Glenn reportedly signed a five-year contract, keeping him with the Jets through the 2029 season.
After the Lions’ shocking Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders, the Jets moved quickly on Glenn, who had an in-person interview with the team on Tuesday.
Despite showing interest in the New Orleans Saints coaching vacancy, Glenn heads to New York to become the 22nd head coach in the Jets’ history.
Glenn spent the previous four seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. Despite a rocky start to his tenure, Glenn transformed the Lions into one of the league’s most talented defenses, anchored by Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis, Brian Branch, and Alex Anzalone.
Glenn was voted as the top-rated NFL defensive coordinator after the 2023 season, according to a survey among players.
Before Detroit, Glenn was a defensive backs coach with the New Orleans Saints (2016-2020) and an assistant defensive backs coach with the Cleveland Browns (2014-2015).
It’s a homecoming for Glenn, who played cornerback for the Jets from 1994-2001. The Jets selected Glenn in the first round of the 1994 draft.
Glenn became one of the Jets’ best defensive players in the 1990s. Glenn made two Pro Bowls (1997 and 1998) with the Jets and was named to the organization’s All-Time Four Decade Team.
Glenn also served as a Jets personnel scout from 2012-2013.
Aaron Glenn Becomes Jets’ 8th Defensive-Minded Head Coach Since 2000
| Jets Head Coaches | Years |
|---|---|
| Al Groh | 2000 |
| Herman Edwards | 2001-2005 |
| Eric Mangini | 2006-2008 |
| Rex Ryan | 2009-2014 |
| Todd Bowles | 2015-2018 |
| Adam Gase | 2019-2020 |
| Robert Saleh | 2021-2024 |
| Jeff Ulbrich* | 2024 |
| Aaron Glenn | 2025 |
*Interim head coach
Glenn inherits a Jets team that finished 5-12 under Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich.
Saleh was fired five games into the 2024 season after a 2-3 start. Ulbrich, the defensive coordinator, was promoted to interim head coach and finished with a 3-9 record.
The Jets are no stranger to hiring defensive coaches. Since 2000, the Jets have hired nine head coaches, eight of whom have been defensive-minded.
Adam Gase is the only offensive-minded head coach the Jets have hired this century.
Mangini did work as an offensive assistant at the beginning of his career, but the Jets hired him for his defensive coaching history with the New England Patriots.
