AP Report: Jets hire Aaron Glenn as head coach

The New York Jets and Aaron Glenn agreed to terms on making the Detroit Lions defensive co-ordinator their head coach on Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of the hiring.

Glenn, who oversaw the Lions’ defence the past four years, beat out 15 other candidates for the job as the Jets went through an extensive search to find their next coach.

And they ended up choosing one of their former players — a first-round draft pick in 1994 who now gets the chance to try to turn around the fortunes of the franchise 31 years later as its coach.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced the hiring. ESPN first reported Glenn agreed to coach the Jets.

The 52-year-old Glenn, who turned Detroit’s defence into one of the best in the league, has been one of the most sought candidates during the NFL’s past two hiring cycles. He interviewed with Washington, Atlanta, Tennessee and the Los Angeles Chargers last year, and he met with the Jets, Jacksonville, Las Vegas and Chicago this year.

Glenn spoke with the Jets during a video call on Jan. 9 and then interviewed in person Tuesday.

The Jets also interviewed Brian Flores, Aaron Glenn, Jeff Hafley, Vance Joseph, Mike Locksley, Josh McCown, Matt Nagy, Ron Rivera, Darren Rizzi, Rex Ryan, Bobby Slowik, Arthur Smith, Steve Spagnuolo, Jeff Ulbrich, Mike Vrabel and Joe Whitt Jr. for the job. 

But only Glenn received a second interview. And New York didn’t need to think twice about talking to anyone else again.

New York fired head coach Robert Saleh after Week 5 and named DC Jeff Ulbrich as interim head coach. They finished 5-12 this season, and own the longest playoff drought in the league at 14 seasons. 

Glenn takes over from Ulbrich with many questions surrounding the offence. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and high-priced mid-season trade acquisition Davante Adams’ futures are uncertain, while holes along the offensive line remain.

The Jets also still do not have a general manager.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday that after the hiring of Glenn, the Jets are expected to proceed to second interviews for their GM job.

One of the favourites for the job is Lance Newmark, the assistant GM for the Washington Commanders.

– With files from Sportsnet