This is one in a series of articles that will also appear in the New York Jets 2025 Yearbook, which will be published later this summer.
Aaron Glenn followed his heart back home. When the Jets hired AG as their 22nd head coach in franchise history, it was a full-circle moment for the former Jets first-round pick (No. 12 overall) who lined up in 121 games with the Green & White from 1994-2001, then worked in the team's front office as a scout in 2012-13.
"This place is special for me," Glenn said. "From the time I was drafted and practiced on Long Island to the time I came back as a scout in New Jersey, this organization has always felt like home."
Glenn, one of 16 candidates who interviewed for the head coach position, spent the previous four seasons in the Motor City serving as Detroit's defensive coordinator under HC Dan Campbell as the Lions flipped their fortunes. Glenn also worked alongside Campbell in New Orleans, overseeing the Saints' secondary from 2016-20 on Sean Payton's staff.
"To any players that are here now, put your seatbelts on and get ready for the ride," he said. "Listen, there are going to be some challenges, but with challenges comes opportunity. But here is what I do know: We are the freaking New York Jets. We are built for this."
Glenn stands 5-9, but he commands a room with his intelligence, intensity, directness and authenticity.
"He's an unbelievable teacher, a motivator," Campbell said. "He's all about the details and accountability. If he has something on his mind, he's going to say it. He's not just going to sweep it under the rug, he's going to let you know, and I think that's important. Sometimes that gets lost."
Not focused on pomp and circumstance, Glenn candidly spoke about his approach to his first offseason with the Jets.
"I'm a huge believer in just moving in silence and letting things play out like they need to play out, and I think our staff has done a really good job of let's just make the moves that we need to make," he said. "Listen, there doesn't need to be a big hoopla of what we're doing. We just want to go about our business and coach these players and try to create an atmosphere for them that's totally different than what they've been used to."
Glenn has talked of creating a Jets brand as he's looking to fill the roster with tough, physical, violent, aggressive, resilient players. As for his coaching staff, he will hold his group to a high standard.
"That's what you look for in a coach — one, being able to teach, and two, being able to develop," Glenn said. "I want our free agents to play like draft picks, our third-round picks to play like first-round picks, our first-round picks to wear a gold [Hall of Fame] jacket at some point. And that's the job of coaches."
