The New Orleans Saints' interview list for their head coaching vacancy just got a bit shorter.
Aaron Glenn, who has spent the past four seasons as the Lions defensive coordinator, is taking the head coach job for the New York Jets, according to a report from the NFL Network. The decision was expected with Glenn interviewing with New York on Tuesday. Glenn was a first round pick of the Jets in 1994 and starred there as a defensive back for eight seasons.
Glenn has long been rumored as a top candidate for the Saints' job due to his familiarity with the organization as both a player and assistant coach. Glenn had previously interviewed virtually with the Saints and had been scheduled to interview for the job this week.
The decision shortens the Saints list of candidates as they look to find a new head coach for the second time in four seasons. The Saints last hired a head coach in 2022 and landed on Dennis Allen as the in-house candidate. He was fired after Week 9 of this past season and amid a 7-game losing streak. He was replaced by Darren Rizzi as the interim, who has already been interviewed for the full-time job.
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Rizzi had also interviewed for the Jets head coach vacancy, meaning possibly his lone option at a top job this offseason would be with the Saints. Rizzi has also been a popular name as a target as the new special teams coordinator for several teams if he and the Saints were to part ways.
The Saints have already scheduled in-person interviews with Giants OC Mike Kafka and Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, though those meetings have been delayed due to a massive snowstorm impacting the region. The Saints are also expected to arrange an interview with former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and have conducted virtual interviews with Bills OC Joe Brady and Eagles OC Kellen Moore. Neither coach is eligible to be interviewed in person until after their respective conference title games.