Jets hire Aaron Glenn as head coach

The Jets have agreed to terms with Aaron Glenn to become their head coach. Glenn, the 22nd head coach in franchise history, returns home to a Jets team he played for during his first eight NFL seasons and later worked as a scout in the NFL’s staff. Glenn, the former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator, is expected to sign his contract Thursday at 1 Jets Drive.

“I am thrilled to welcome Aaron Glenn home as head coach of the New York Jets,” said Jets President Robert Wood Johnson. “Aaron has earned this opportunity with nearly three decades of experience in the NFL – ten with us as a player and scout. He brings tremendous leadership skills and the vision this organization needs to succeed. I am excited to see him lead this team.”

Johnson led the search for a head coach and was assisted by the 33rd team in a support role to help identify and select candidates in addition to coordinating interviews. Former NFL front office executives Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman led the project for the NFL technology and media company.

After announcing 16 completed head coach interviews, Glenn met face-to-face with Jets executives Tuesday morning and a framework for a deal was agreed upon Wednesday.

Before beginning his professional coaching journey, Glenn worked in the Jets front office as a pro personnel scout in 2012 and a college area scout in 2013.

“This place is special to me,” Glenn said. “From the time I was drafted and coached on Long Island to the time I came back as a scout in New Jersey, this organization has always felt like home. I am grateful to Mr. Johnson for this opportunity. To our players, “

Prior to his first coaching stint as an assistant secondary coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2014-15, AG played 15 seasons in the NFL. A first-round pick of the Jets (12th overall) out of Texas A&M in 1994, Glenn appeared in 121 games with the Green and White from 1994 to 2001. His 24 INTs are tied for fourth most in franchise history, and he returned three of those picks for TDs. Glenn is the only Jet with two 100-yard games to his credit – he had a 100-yard INT return against Dan Marino and Miami in 1996 and a 104-yard return of a missed field goal at Indianapolis in 1998. Glenn was a Pro Bowler with the Jets in 1997 and 1998 and led the team in interceptions in 1996, 1998 and 2001.

Glenn spent the last four seasons in the Motor City as Detroit’s defensive coordinator. The Lions went 15-2 last season, winning first place in the NFC as Glenn rebuilt a roster that lost five starters, including forward Aidan Hutchinson, DT Alim McNeil and CB Carlton Davis III, as well as several key injured reserve replacements. The Lions were No. 1 on third down (32.43%), No. 5 against the run (98.4 yds/g), T5 in INTs (16) and T10 in takeaways (24).

“Aaron Glenn is a great coach, he’s an even better human being,” Lions center Dan Campbell said of Glenn in January. He added: “I mean, this guy is as good as it gets, and he can do it all. He understands how to run a game, he understands offense, he understands defense, he understands special teams, he knows how to communicate, he understands player discipline and he’s motivating, he’s inspiring Anyway, I don’t want to lose him, but I also support this guy because I just think he’s a hell of a coach.