It’s official: Aaron Glenn is the new head coach of the New York Jets. Glenn returns to the team that made him the 12th overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft after spending the last four years as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
Glenn was also a scout for the Jets for two years before becoming a coach, so he knows the organization well. Let’s examine Glenn’s time in Detroit and what the fans are saying about the new hire.
Glenn Returns to Gang Green After Successful Stint in Detroit
Aaron Glenn was one of the most coveted names in this year’s head-coach candidate pool because of his experience as a player and his performance as a coordinator.
He played 15 seasons as a defensive back, appeared in 205 games, and recorded 634 tackles, 41 interceptions, six touchdowns, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and 163 total passes defended. This was all before spending the last 10 years as an NFL coach.
Glenn’s defenses in Detroit saw improvement each season and would arguably still be playing had it not been for an insurmountable rash of injuries on that side of the ball. In 2020 (the year before Glenn arrived), Detroit’s defense allowed 2.95 points per drive. That number decreased each of the last four seasons:
2021: 2.52
2022: 2.28
2023: 2.03
2024: 1.91
Why Hire Another Defensive Coach?
There will be questions about hiring another defensive coach when the Jets have had so many issues on offense. Since 2001, the Jets have now hired seven head coaches, with six of them coming from the defensive side.
It makes sense, given the quarterbacks within the AFC East. Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa are already proven, and Drake Maye had an impressive rookie campaign. However, many will question the decision not to bring in an offensive coach to work with Aaron Rodgers or a rookie quarterback.
Glenn showed a propensity for blitzing in Detroit, where the Lions finished with the sixth-highest blitz rate (31.4%) in Glenn’s final three seasons. The Jets were even more effective when bringing the heat during the 2024 season.
2024: Pressure Rate Leaders When Blitzing
- Green Bay Packers: 49.5% (league average: 40.6%)
- New York Jets: 48.4%
- Indianapolis Colts: 46.2%
- Los Angeles Rams: 46.2%
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 45.9%
On paper, this is a great hire for the Jets. They bring a former player back with a proven track record as a coach who will create a great culture, but only time will tell if it was the right decision.
Fans React to Glenn Getting the Gig
After the team announced Glenn’s hiring, many fans took to X to voice their opinions.
“Ok, AG……time to finish what your mentor started 28 years ago. Bill Parcells temporarily suspended Same Ol’ #Jets. Now, you have a chance to come back home & smash it to pieces forever. LFG!” wrote an excited fan.
Ok, AG……time to finish what your mentor started 28 years ago.
Bill Parcells temporarily suspended Same Ol’ #Jets.
Now, you have a chance to come back home & smash it to pieces forever.
LFG! pic.twitter.com/VSePPDMwxQ
— Play Like A Jet (@Playlikeajet1) January 22, 2025
“I can finally breathe knowing we got our guy phewwwww #Jets”, another fan posted.
“We are so back #Jets”, posted an elated fan.
“I can feel the victories and 🏆 coming. #jets”, another fan said.
I can feel the victories and 🏆 coming. #jets pic.twitter.com/djSBULKY9w
— John (Jets Fanatic) Prato (@jetsfanb12) January 22, 2025
“Love the hire….Aaron knows the culture of the organization and needs to change it to “PROUD TO BE A JET.” 2nd he needs to hire some dam good assistants. 3rd he needs to get us to the dam playoffs. I don’t want to hear we need to rebuild etc…its been to long! #JETS,” said another fan who already has a plan for Glenn.
“WE GOT OUR GUY GO #JETS,” said another happy fan.
WE GOT OUR GUY GO #JETS pic.twitter.com/Bw4dOOAQqA
— 🏴 Q DOUBLE A 🔱 (@THEMACHOMANE) January 22, 2025
Fans are happy, for the most part, but there was some hesitancy.
“B+. Good coach. Right mindset. Former Jet who will want to turn the team around. Only knock – he’s more of the same in terms of what the Jets have hired for the better part of the last 25 years: a first-time HC from defensive background. Have to get it correct eventually, right?” one fan posted.
B+. Good coach. Right mindset. Former Jet who will want to turn the team around. Only knock – he's more of the same in terms of what the Jets have hired for the better part of the last 25 years: a first-time HC from defensive background. Have to get it correct eventually, right?
— Arun Morace (@AMorace1) January 22, 2025
“The Jets getting rid of Salah, a defensive HC, then hiring Glenn, a defensive HC, and expecting a huge difference is the definition of insanity #NFL #NewYork #Jets,” said one confused fan.
The jets getting rid of salah a defensive hc then hiring Glenn, a defensive hc, and expecting a huge difference is the definition of insanity#NFL #NewYork #Jets
— Tae (@Tae_isnt_savage) January 22, 2025
“As a lifelong #Jets fan, while I do like the Glenn hire, only time will tell. His resume as a player & as a coach seems to me as a strong bet as a 1st time HC. I was a fan of Glenn as a player who maxed out his talent. He has learned under Parcells, Herm Edwards & Dan Campbell too,” said another cautious fan.
“probably the most important questions who is running the #jets offense?,” posted another fan, looking ahead to the next decision the Jets have to make.
There is always some hesitancy and second-guessing when a team hires a new head coach, but for the moment, most of the Jets faithful seems confident Glenn could be the right guy to change the culture in New York.
