Aaron Glenn is leaving Detroit, and returning to his roots.
The Lions defensive coordinator of the past four seasons is becoming the head coach of the Jets, the franchise he called home for the first eight years of his decorated playing career and where he later served as a scout. The Lions will get a reward to soften the blow.
Glenn accepted the job Wednesday, per Adam Schefter.
It's an uphill climb in New York. The Jets are coming off their ninth straight losing season and haven't made the playoffs since 2010. Glenn might be the man for the job, having both starred for the team in the past and played a significant role in the turnaround of the Lions under Dan Campbell.
Over his four years in Detroit, Glenn's defense jumped from 31st to 28th to 23rd to seventh in the NFL in scoring. It thrived this season despite major attrition due to injuries.
Campbell brought Glenn with him from New Orleans when he took over the Lions in 2021 and vouched for his head coaching chops earlier this month: "Aaron Glenn is as good a coach as you’re going to find. He’s an even better human being."
"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, man," Campbell said. "He’s inspiring."
As a result of the Jets hiring Glenn, the Lions will be awarded a compensatory draft pick at the end of the third round in each of the next two drafts, per the NFL's policy on minority hires. The league rewards organizations that develop minority coaches for at least two years into eventual head coaches.
The Jets are also expected to hire former Lions' director of player personnel Lance Newmark as their general manager after he and Glenn overlapped for three seasons in Detroit. Newmark spent this season as the Commanders' assistant GM.
Glenn is one of several departures from Campbell's coaching staff after the Lions' 15-2 season, along with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, now the head coach of the Bears, and defensive line coach Terrell Williams, now the defensive coordinator of the Patriots. Offensive line coach Hank Fraley is a hot commodity as well.
Glenn could also look to bring certain coaches with him from Detroit on either side of the ball, just as Johnson might in Chicago. Fraley is a name to watch, along with quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell and linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard.