By Sunday 
There’s something about a coach who carries the fire with him—no matter where he goes. For Aaron Glenn, the former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator, that fire has already sparked something special in New York. Now leading the Jets as their head coach, Glenn isn’t waiting for the rebuild narrative to settle in. He’s flipping the script—and his players are already riding the wave.
From Detroit Grit to New York Grit
After helping to forge one of the NFL’s most aggressive, high-energy defenses under Dan Campbell in Detroit, Glenn took his talents to the Big Apple—well, technically New Jersey, but you get the idea. And for Glenn, this is more than just a coaching opportunity. It’s a homecoming. Drafted by the Jets in 1994, he spent eight seasons there as a player. Now he’s back, not to reminisce, but to revolutionize.
And it’s working.
“We’re Trying to Win Now”
Jets running back Breece Hall said it best in a recent interview on the team website:
“I think people think the new coaching staff and new GM means a rebuild, but we have a lot of really good players on the roster, so we’re trying to win now.”
That doesn’t sound like a man planning to tank a season. That sounds like a player who believes in the mission—and more importantly, believes in his coach.
Building on a Strong Foundation
The Jets went 5-12 last season, sure. But don’t be fooled—this roster has talent. With names like Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Quinnen Williams, and Breece Hall, the pieces are already in place. Now, with Glenn’s culture shift and hard-nosed mentality, they’re beginning to click.
One big reason for optimism? The offensive line. With first-round pick Olu Fashanu anchoring the left side and versatile linemen like Alijah Vera-Tucker and Joe Tippmann up the middle, the Jets could field one of the league’s Top 10 O-lines in 2025. That’s great news for Hall, and even better news for a team hungry to move the chains.
The Glenn Effect Is Real
What Glenn brought to Detroit was more than defensive schemes. It was attitude, belief, and a refusal to accept anything less than full throttle. Under Dan Campbell, the Lions never mailed it in—not in November, not down 14, not ever. That culture is now making its way to New York.
And the Jets are already buying in.
Buckle Up, AFC East
This isn’t your typical “new coach, new playbook” kind of transition. Glenn’s already working his magic, shaping a team that believes it can win—and fast. With rising stars stepping up and a head coach who’s all heart and heat, don’t be surprised if the Jets surprise a lot of people this season.
Detroit fans may miss Glenn, but they’ll be watching. Because once that familiar fire catches on, it tends to burn bright.