During recent years when some first-time head coaches are hired barely in their early 30s, new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is from a different generation.
Glenn was named Jets head coach last week at age 52. His former teammates, many of whom were at Glenn’s introductory press conference, believe owner Woody Johnson made the right choice.
“I have proudly watched Aaron’s ascent through the NFL coaching ranks and am not surprised by his success,” says Pro Football Hall of Famer and Glenn’s former Jets teammate Kevin Maewe. “Aaron is a great choice for Gang Green and will bring pride back to the Meadowlands for fans and Jets alumni alike.”
Glenn is returning to the same organization that selected him on the first round of the 1994 Draft. He was a standout, three-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Jets for 8 seasons. There were indications that his future was on the coaching sideline even very early in his Jets playing career.
“Aaron and I were in the same 1994 rookie class,” recalls former Jets quarterback Glenn Foley, “and he was the most humble first round pick I’ve ever met. He worked harder at his craft than anyone. He was the first cornerback I ever played with who would ‘pick my brain’ as a quarterback. He was constantly asking me questions…a real student of his craft.”
After his playing career ended, Glenn reentered the league as a personnel scout for the Jets in 2012. He later took assistant coaching jobs with the Browns and Saints before signing in 2021 as the Lions’ defensive coordinator on head coach Dan Campbell’s initial staff.
“Aaron Glenn is as good a coach as you’re going to find,” Campbell said late in the regular season. “He’s even a better human being. The thought of him having to go through another coaching cycle and not being named somebody’s head coach was ridiculous. We hate to lose him on our staff but the Jets made the right decision.”
We at NFL Alumni are pleased that our brother Aaron Glenn finally is getting his head coaching shot for his original team. We wish him and the Jets much success in the coming years.
