Aaron Glenn completes Jets' defensive coaches makeover
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn looks on during warmups before a game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025. Credit: Getty Images/Al Bello
Aaron Glenn has finalized his defensive coaching staff for the 2026 season.
Glenn hired Ben Bolling as linebacker coach, Ryan Slowik as safeties coach, Ronald Booker as defensive assistant/nickels coach and Collin Bauer as defensive assistant.
Earlier this offseason, Glenn named Brian Duker defensive coordinator and Karl Dunbar the defensive line coach. Glenn will call the defense.
There's been a lot of turnover on Glenn's coaching staff following a 3-14 season. He has hired 13 new coaches — seven on offense and six on defense.
Bolling spent the past five seasons with the Houston Texans, four as a defensive assistant before being promoted to inside linebackers coach last season.
Slowik has coached in the NFL for 16 seasons, including one as the Jets assistant defensive line coach in 2015 under Todd Bowles. Slowik spent the last three seasons working with Duker in Miami in various roles, most recently as defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator.
Booker was with the Arizona Cardinals the previous five seasons, the last three as defensive quality control coach. Bauer coached on the college level before working the past two years in the UFL as the Michigan Panthers' defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
The only returning defensive coaches on Glenn’s staff are defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Chris Harris, assistant linebackers coach Nathaniel Willingham and assistant defensive line coach Cameron Davis. Harris ended last season as the Jets defensive coordinator after Steve Wilks was fired with three games remaining.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
