Could Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn be the right choice to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars into the future?
In 2025, the Jaguars find themselves searching for yet another head coach. Owner Shad Khan has already cycled through five different head coaches over the past 13 years, with Mike Mularkey, Gus Bradley, Doug Marrone, Urban Meyer, and Doug Pederson all failing to bring lasting success.
With the search now underway, we’re evaluating each candidate’s strengths, backgrounds, and potential downsides. Previously, we discussed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Now, let’s shift our focus to Aaron Glenn.
Background:
- Houston Stallions (2012): General Manager
- New York Jets (2012-2013): Scout
- Cleveland Browns (2014-2015): Assistant Defensive Backs Coach
- New Orleans Saints (2016-2020): Defensive Backs Coach
- Detroit Lions (2021-Present): Defensive Coordinator
Pros: One of Glenn’s biggest strengths is his leadership. Both players and coaches rave about his ability to inspire and guide a team, reflecting the same praise he received from teammates during his playing career. Glenn is widely regarded as a “leader of men” and excels in managing a locker room and running a franchise.
In addition to his leadership, Glenn has a strong track record of player development, particularly in the secondary. As a former NFL defensive back, he played a pivotal role in the growth of stars like Marshon Lattimore and Marcus Williams in New Orleans, and has continued that success in Detroit, helping develop players such as Kerby Joseph, Terrion Arnold, and Amik Robertson.
Even amid significant injuries this season, Glenn has kept Detroit’s defense ranked among the league’s top 10. In one recent game, he led a shorthanded Lions defense to a dominant performance against a high-powered Minnesota Vikings offense. This speaks to his ability to adapt and maintain a competitive defense, regardless of the challenges.
Additionally, Glenn offers a rare combination of coaching and scouting experience. He started his NFL career as a scout, giving him a unique perspective on team-building and the overall game strategy.
Cons: One area of concern for Glenn is that it took him until 2024 to elevate the Lions’ defense to a high level. While he inherited the NFL’s worst defense in 2021, it took a few years to turn things around, and there is limited evidence of his ability to consistently lead elite defenses.
Another challenge is the typical issue faced by defensive-minded head coaches: assembling a strong offensive staff. If Glenn were to hire an offensive coordinator who excels, there’s a risk that coordinator could be poached by another team, potentially creating a revolving door at that critical position.
Overall, while Glenn lacks an extensive history of leading elite defenses, this is largely due to the circumstances he inherited in Detroit. He still checks most of the key boxes for a head coaching candidate.
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