Jets hire Brian Duker as defensive coordinator
Brian Duker in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins. Credit: AP/Marta Lavandier
Aaron Glenn picked his new defensive coordinator. He’s not a well-known name, but he’s someone Glenn knows well.
The Jets hired former Dolphins defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Brian Duker on Wednesday. Duker worked for Glenn for three seasons when he was the Lions defensive coordinator.
The 36-year-old Duker has no play-calling experience. Glenn is expected to call the defense in 2026.
“During our time in Detroit, Brian consistently demonstrated a high football acumen and an aggressive approach to defense,” Glenn said in a statement. “I’m confident that his energy and knowledge of the game will help elevate our players and push this team forward.”
The Jets also began interviewing candidates for the open offensive coordinator position. Glenn parted ways with Tanner Engstrand on Tuesday.
Frank Reich, a former head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, is a leading candidate to replace Engstrand. Reich was among five candidates the Jets interviewed virtually on Wednesday.
They also spoke to former Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, ex-Chargers and Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, former Bills quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry and Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells.
The Jets met the Rooney Rule requirements of interviewing two minority candidates so they can offer the job to someone.
Duker wasn’t one of the original eight candidates the Jets interviewed for the post that became available when Glenn fired Steve Wilks with three games left in the season. Glenn interviewed Duker on Tuesday, virtually, and officially hired him one day later.
Chris Harris, Wink Martindale, Jim Leonhard, Daronte Jones, Jim O’Neil, Ephraim Banda, DeMarcus Covington and Mathieu Araujo also interviewed for the job.
Martindale was believed to be the leading candidate. He flew in Saturday for an in-person second interview. According to a report, Glenn was set to hire him. Things apparently changed when Glenn decided that he would call the defense.
This is a change from last season when Glenn let Wilks run the defense. Glenn is going to take a more hands-on approach after everything that happened last season.
The Jets went 3-14, weren’t competitive many games, and missed the playoffs for the 15th straight year. If the Jets start badly or don’t show significant improvement, Glenn could be out of a job.
The defense was historically bad in Glenn’s first year as coach. The Jets were the first team to go an entire season without intercepting a pass. They finished next-to-last in total defense, 25th in points allowed, let up the most passing touchdowns and were 29th in rushing defense.
In Duker’s two years with the Dolphins, they ranked 21st in passing touchdowns allowed this season and sixth in 2024. They were tied for 23rd in interceptions both seasons, picking off nine and 10, respectively.
Prior to Miami, Duker was with Glenn in Detroit as the Lions defensive backs coach (2023), safeties coach (2022) and defensive assistant (2021). Duker also worked for the Ravens (2018-20) as a defensive staff assistant/coaching analyst and was a 49ers defensive analyst before that.
Harris, who ended the season as the Jets defensive coordinator, is expected to remain on Glenn’s staff. Harris could continue as the defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator, his original role before the promotion.
Duker’s past relationship with Glenn certainly helped him, but Glenn just moved on from someone else he worked with in Detroit. Glenn planned to demote Engstrand and strip him of his play-calling duties. Ultimately, Engstrand was let go.
Glenn has been speaking with offensive and defensive coaches to fill the multiple openings he’s created since last week when he fired seven coaches. Glenn could be feeling the pressure and is making all these changes as a result.
Quarterbacks coach Charles London, passing game coordinator Scott Turner, defensive line coach Eric Washington, linebackers coach Aaron Curry, assistant defensive backs coach Dre Bly and defensive assistants Alonso Escalante and Roosevelt Williams were relieved of their duties.
The amount of upheaval and turnover in a short time won’t make these jobs appealing to candidates looking for long-term commitments. The overall lack of stability, and Glenn’s uncertain future, could be off-putting for coaches as well as players who the Jets may try to sign in free agency.
This offseason and next are huge for the Jets. They have two first-round picks in this draft and more than $90 million for free agency. The Jets also have three first-round picks next year. This is a potentially transformational time for the franchise.
Glenn is putting the Jets through change now. If the results don’t improve, there will be bigger changes — perhaps starting with Glenn.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
