Aaron Glenn to have second interview with Jets on Tuesday, source says
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will interview with the Jets for their head coaching position. Credit: Getty Images/Nic Antaya
The Jets are moving closer to hiring a new head coach and general manager.
Aaron Glenn will interview for the second time for the Jets’ coaching position on Tuesday, an NFL source said. It will be an in-person interview.
Glenn, the Lions’ defensive coordinator, spoke to the Jets virtually a few days after the regular season ended. With the Lions’ elimination from the playoffs Saturday night, he is able to do in-person interviews and accept jobs.
Detroit’s offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, already took one, agreeing to become the Bears’ head coach Monday.
The Jets reportedly also will interview Washington Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark for a second time on Tuesday.
A Newmark-Glenn pairing could end up being the new regime that ownership entrusts to put an end to the Jets’ 14-year streak of not making the playoffs. The two have synergy and a working relationship. They were together in the Lions’ organization for three years.
Newmark is in his first year with Washington after 26 seasons with Detroit in various front office roles. Glenn has been the Lions’ defensive coordinator the last four seasons.
The Jets, Saints, Jaguars, Raiders and Cowboys are teams still looking for a head coach.
Former Jets coach Robert Saleh, who was fired in October, has a second interview lined up with Jacksonville.
Glenn is a popular choice among Jets fans. If he is the team’s top choice, they might not want to let him leave the building without offering him the job. Glenn reportedly will have a second interview with the Saints on Wednesday. He played and worked for both teams, and the Jets and Saints are considered his two most likely landing spots.
Glenn, 52, was a first-round pick of the Jets in 1994. The cornerback played eight seasons for them and made two Pro Bowls. He also worked for the Jets as a scout in 2012 and 2013.
Glenn ended his playing career with the Saints in 2008. He returned to New Orleans in 2016 and spent five seasons as a defensive backs coach.
The Jets have met with 16 people for their head-coaching vacancy and could bring in other candidates for a second interview if things don’t work out with Glenn. Arthur Smith and Brian Flores are among those who could be finalists for the Jets’ job.
Glenn doesn’t have head-coaching experience but is a proven leader. The Lions were 31st in points allowed in his first season. After making the NFC title game last season, they finished seventh in points allowed this season and went 15-2 to earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Glenn’s defense faltered in a 45-31 loss to the Commanders in the Divisional round of the playoffs Saturday.
Newmark played a role in building the roster for both of those NFC teams. He oversees the Commanders’ personnel and scouting departments and reports directly to first-year GM Adam Peters. They and coach Dan Quinn have helped turn around the Commanders after taking over a team that went 4-13 last season.
The Commanders drafted quarterback Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick, went 12-5 and have reached the NFC title game for the first time in 33 years.
Newmark spent the previous two seasons as the Lions’ senior director of player personnel. He was in charge of college and pro scouting and was Detroit’s director of player personnel for five years before that.
The Jets have interviewed 15 candidates for the GM opening. They could have a short list of people they try to bring in for a second interview.
Owner Woody Johnson retained the services of The 33rd Team, led by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum and former Vikings GM Rick Spielman, to help in both searches. Johnson will make the final call on both hires.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
