The Jets have agreed to terms with Aaron Glenn to be the 22nd head coach in franchise history. Glenn spent the last four years in Detroit as the Lions' defensive coordinator. Here is what players and fellow coaches have said about Glenn and his coaching style.
Lions HC Dan Campbell:
"Aaron Glenn is -- he's as good a coach as you're going to find, he's an even better human being. Look, if nobody wants him, I'll take him again. I can tell you that right now. The thought of going through another cycle and he's not somebody's head coach is ridiculous. I mean this guy is as good as they come, and he can do it all. He understands how to manage a game, he understands offense, defense, special teams, he knows how to communicate, he understands discipline of players and he's motivating, he's inspiring. I don't want to lose him, but I also root for the guy because I think he's a hell of a coach.
"But what he did the other day [vs. Washington in the Divisional Round] and what that defensive staff did and what our players did to have the plan in place of what we knew we needed to do and to watch them bring it to life, our players brought that plan to life and they did it and it speaks for itself. Three of 13 on third down, 0 of 3 on fourth down, 0 of 4 in the red zone, only gave up five explosives. Three sudden changes really defensively had to go out there and were able to hold them back. That's significant, that's significant. So, just can't say enough good things."
Bears HC (and Lions' former OC) Ben Johnson:
"[Glenn] is beyond qualified right now. You hear all of our players singing his praises right now, and that's exactly what I would do, I would second that. He is more prepared to be a head coach than maybe anybody I've ever met. He wants that and I think he'd do a phenomenal job in charge."
Lions CB Carlton Davis:
"Man, I love playing for him bro. He's a great guy to get coached by. He's intense but he's also a players' coach, he also understands but he doesn't drop his standards for anybody. That's the type of guy you want to play for. You want to play for somebody who is going to push you but also coach you and teach you what you did wrong. He's a great guy, having that balance and it's been great for me so far. I love being under him."
"The respect level is so high. His word is like what's written once he says it because you know that he's been there before and you know that he knows what he's talking about. I mean 41 interceptions, you can't coach that. He's a special guy. He's somebody I look up to so of course I'm going to be cognitive of whatever he's saying and always being coachable for him."
Lions LB Alex Anzalone:
"Everything that is said about Dan [Campbell], as far as leadership and culture and development and all of those great things, him and A.G., in my mind, are two of the best I've been around. And they're on the same level and he's ready for a head coaching job. I know he wants it. I've seen him develop just as a coordinator and a coach, and it's cool to be a part of. And I think he's one of the best teachers that I've been around as far as defensive football, too."
"I think he has all the qualities and command and leadership and culture-setting that Dan has, and he's learned from Dan and he's developed under him. And I think he's ready to do it."
Lions S Brian Branch:
"For one, he played this game for a long time and he treats everybody the same. I feel like he gave me a lot of tools to put in my toolbox to help me sharpen my game. He always stays on top of me, never lets me get too big-headed and he wants the best for me. That's all I could ask for from a coach and he keeps pushing me every day."
Lions DL Alim McNeill:
"AG is the heart of our defense. He built who we are as a defense and a lot of guys on our team after him as well. It's the same way from our offensive coaches, we learned a lot from them as well."
Lions CB Terrion Arnold:
"AG taught me a lot of lessons, but the main one that would stick out is just as far as being a competitor. His main point to us day-in, day-out and night-in, night-out was just challenge. Go out there and don't beat yourself. The guy really taught me how to be a smart football player and he taught me how to be a pro, the ins and outs of it. I'm very fortunate to have somebody like that."
Aaron Glenn spoke at a press conference before the Lions played the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
"I'm a coach. I just happen to be on defense. I understand the offense just as well as a number of people. If you want to hire me, you're going to hire a coach. You're not going to hire a defensive coach. I'm going to talk to the offense just as much as I'm going to talk to the defense."
"The one thing I get out of all these interviews is I'm going to be myself. Either you like it or you don't. If you don't, all good. I keep telling you guys, I have a great job here. And if you like it, if it's an opportunity I think that's best for me and my family, then we'll take a look at it."
"Here's how I sum up leadership. It's really one word, it's influence. And everybody that I come into contact with, I want to influence them in some positive way, and I don't take that for granted when it comes to players, because that's my responsibility. It's almost the same as my children. I want to make sure that everybody that I come into contact with, that when they leave AG that they have something positive to say. It's not always going to be like that because I do get pissed off too, but to me that's what I want to impart on every play I come across with. Even the players that end of leaving here [Detroit] I want to impart something positive into them so that as they go about their way, I've taught them something that can make them a better person and a better player."
