Dan Campbell may have two positions to fill on the Lions coaching staff this offseason.
On the same day that assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley left for a job with the Panthers, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn reportedly landed a second head coaching interview with the Colts.
Glenn, who also remains in the mix for the Cardinals head coaching job, is one of six candidates to get a second interview with Indianapolis, along with Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday, Rams DC Raheem Morris, Broncos OC Ejio Evero, Bengals OC Brian Callahan and Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. Glenn's interview will take place Thursday.
It's the third offseason in a row Glenn that has been up for a head coaching job, after previously interviewing with the Jets, Saints and Broncos. He's a natural motivator and a smart tactician. When Glenn was close to landing the Saints job last year, Campbell said "the thought of losing him" was like "walking around without any pants on."
The Lions' defense finished last in the NFL this season, thanks mostly to a brutal start. But Glenn rallied the group in the second half and coaxed major production out of several rookies, including Aidan Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph and James Houston. The Lions set an NFL record for sacks by a rookie class.
A former Pro Bowl corner who played 15 years in the NFL, Glenn is also an excellent communicator. In coach-speak, he commands a room. His players have done nothing but rave about his leadership in Detroit, where he's helped Campbell set a new standard for a losing franchise.
Glenn, 50, has long been viewed as a future head coach in the NFL, going back to when he was defensive backs for the Saints under Sean Payton. In Campbell's words, "He is more than worthy of being a head coach, more than qualified to be a head coach in this league."
This might be the year he gets the call.
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