With all eyes on Lions-Vikings last Sunday, Aaron Glenn's injury-ravaged defense put forth its best game of the season. It only added to the appeal of one of the hotter commodities on the head coaching market.
With the top-seeded Lions on their playoff bye this week, Glenn has four head coaching interviews lined up from Thursday through Saturday, per Ian Rapoport: the Jets, Saints, Bears and Jaguars, who will interview Glenn virtually.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is reportedly interviewing virtually with the Bears and Patriots, with the Jaguars also having submitted a request.
Glenn's defense allowed the seventh fewest points in the NFL this season, despite losing several key players to injuries. Among the wounded: star defensive linemen Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill, top linebackers Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes and top cornerback Carlton Davis III.
Dan Campbell went out of his way while speaking with reporters Tuesday to say, "Aaron Glenn is as good a coach as you’re going to find. He’s an even better human being." Glenn has had numerous head coaching interviews in the past three hiring cycles but hasn't been offered a job.
"Look, if nobody wants him, I’ll take him. I can tell you that right now. But the thought of going through another cycle and he’s not somebody’s head coach is ridiculous," Campbell said. "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. He’s inspiring. Anyway, I don’t want to lose him, but I also root for the guys because I just think he’s a hell of a coach."
Anzalone returned in Week 18 with the No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line and helped the Lions hold Sam Darnold and the Vikings to their fewest points of the season in a 31-9 win. Campbell called it "one of the best performances we’ve had all year. You could argue it was the best performance."
Glenn, 52, has extensive history with both the Saints and Jets. He finished his playing career in New Orleans and later served as the Saints' defensive backs coach from 2016-20 before coming to Detroit with Dan Campbell. He started his playing career with the Jets, starred there for eight seasons and spent two seasons in their front office as a personnel scout from 2012-13.
Both teams have interviewed Glenn for head coaching jobs in the past, the Saints in 2022 before they hired the since-fired Dennis Allen, and the Jets in 2021 before they hired the since-fired Robert Saleh.
Glenn also played for the Jaguars in the penultimate season of his career.