The New York Jets are bringing back a former star to help them return to the playoffs. On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the team hired Aaron Glenn, the Lions defensive coordinator over the past four seasons, as their new head coach.
Glenn has played a significant part in Detroit’s turnaround, building the defense from 31st in the league in 2021 to a top-10 unit this past season, while leading the team to the playoffs the past two years. He was also a prime candidate for the New Orleans Saints opening.
Glenn’s former head coach, Dan Campbell, gave him a ringing endorsement a couple of weeks ago.
“The thought of going through another cycle and he’s not somebody’s head coach is ridiculous,” said Campbell. “I mean, this guy is as good as they come, and he can do it all. He understands how to manage a game, he understands offense, defense, special teams, he knows how to communicate, he understands discipline of players and he’s motivating, he’s inspiring.“
The Jets drafted Glenn, a former defensive back, in the first round in 1994. He went on to spend eight of his 15 NFL seasons with “Gang Green.” He’ll take over for Robert Salah, who the Jets fired mid-season. The Jets finished with a 5-12 record and haven’t made the playoffs in 14 years.
Glenn’s hire leaves just four NFL squads still searching for a head coach –– Jaguars, Raiders, Saints and Cowboys. On Wednesday, the Chicago Bears introduced their new guy, Ben Johnson.
The former Lions offensive coordinator had a message for his new players.
“The bar has been set higher than it’s ever been set before. The only way for this team and for you as individual players to reach your potential is to be pushed and be challenged, and that’s exactly what I and my staff plan on doing,“ said Johnson.
Also Wednesday, the Raiders hired former Bucs assistant John Spytek as their new general manager, so a new coach may follow soon. In Jacksonville, the Jaguars fired General Manager Trent Baalke after rumors swirled that some coaching candidates did not want to work with him.
