By After interviewing 16 different people for the team’s head coaching vacancy, the New York Jets have made their hire.
The team is turning to Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions for the last four seasons and a former Jets defensive back, to fill the job.
“This place is special for me,” Glenn said in a statement. “From the time I was drafted and practiced on Long Island, to the time I came back as a scout in New Jersey, this organization has always felt like home.
“I’m thankful to (Jets owner) Mr. (Woody) Johnson for this opportunity. To our players, prepare to be coached with everything we have. That is our responsibility. I ask that we share the same vision and that’s working towards winning a championship. To our fans, simply put, expect a winning team that you will be proud of.”
Glenn, 52, will replace interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who had stepped into the role after the firing of Robert Saleh earlier in the season.
Glenn just completed his 11th season coaching in the NFL. With the Lions, under head coach Dan Campbell, Glenn helped turn around a moribund Lions defense – and the team went on to become a Super Bowl contender. On Saturday, with an injury-depleted defense, Detroit was upset in a home playoff loss to the Washington Commanders 45-31.
In a post on X, Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath said he hoped all Jets fans “are as thrilled” as he is in the news of the hiring of Glenn.
“I wish the season would start next week!” Namath wrote.
This will be Glenn’s first NFL head coaching job, and he’ll have a potentially tough task ahead of him. The Jets – who haven’t been in the playoffs since the 2010 season – are coming off a 5-12 record in 2024.
The front office is in transition: The Jets are also in the process of hiring a general manager. ESPN is reporting the team is in extended talks with Washington Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark.
There’s also the question about what the team will do at quarterback – including whether 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers will be back.
Glenn was the fifth person the Jets interviewed for the opening. One of those previous interviews had been Mike Vrabel, who then went on to accept the head coaching position with the New England Patriots.
“I’m excited to welcome Aaron Glenn home as the head coach of the New York Jets,” Johnson said in a statement. “Aaron earned this opportunity through almost three decades of NFL experience – ten with us as a player and a scout. He brings tremendous leadership skills and the vision this organization needs to be successful. I am thrilled to see him lead this team.”
As a player, Glenn was drafted No. 12 by the Jets in the 1994 NFL draft. He played 15 seasons in the league spanning with the Jets, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints.
Before his time coaching in Detroit, Glenn was with the Saints under then-head coach Sean Payton from 2016-2020 as the team’s secondary coach. He was assistant defensive backs coach from 2014-2015 for the Cleveland Browns.
Glenn also worked from 2012-2013 in the Jets’ front office as a pro personnel scout and area scout.
