By Mummy Grace ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Being real is in right now, and so are the Detroit Lions. So, it’s only fitting that this might finally be Aaron Glenn’s year to land a head coaching job. The Lions’ defensive coordinator has been grinding for this opportunity for years. At 52, Glenn is more than ready, and after five straight offseasons of interviews, people in Detroit—and across the league—are starting to ask, “What’s the holdup?”
Dan Campbell, the Lions’ head coach, summed it up perfectly: “The thought of going through another cycle and he’s not somebody’s head coach is ridiculous.” He’s not the only one saying it, either. Glenn’s fiery personality, tough-love coaching, and genuine leadership have made him a star in Allen Park. Players and coaches swear by the guy, and now the rest of the NFL is starting to take notice. And why wouldn’t they? The Lions, of all teams, have become a success story. A blueprint for winning, if you will.
Seriously, think about it: this is the team that went 3-13-1 just a couple of years ago. Now, they’re the back-to-back NFC North champs and the NFC’s top seed. Glenn’s impact on the Lions’ defense has been massive. Sure, it’s not as flashy as the offense, but the improvement is undeniable. Detroit ranked near the bottom of the league—31st and 30th in scoring defense—in Glenn’s first two seasons. But last year, they jumped to 23rd, and this season, they cracked the top 10, finishing 7th. That’s no small feat, especially when you’ve lost key starters and backups to long-term injuries.
But here’s the thing about Glenn: he’s not out here begging for a job. He’s not trying to sell himself to teams. Instead, he’s keeping it simple and staying true to himself. “The one thing that I get out of all these interviews is, man, I’m going to be myself,” Glenn said. “Either you’ll like it or you don’t. If you don’t, all good. I have a great job here.” And it’s true. He’s not desperate. But if the right opportunity comes along—one that’s a good fit for him and his family—he’s ready to roll.
So far, Glenn’s had interviews with five teams: Chicago, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and the New York Jets. He even turned down an interview with the Patriots, probably because everyone knew that job was earmarked for Mike Vrabel (who, surprise, got hired on Sunday). Out of all the teams, New Orleans seems like the most logical fit for Glenn. He spent five years there as an assistant on Sean Payton’s staff, and the connections run deep. The Jets are another strong possibility—after all, Glenn was a Pro Bowl cornerback during his playing days in New York.
Meanwhile, Glenn’s offensive counterpart in Detroit, Ben Johnson, is also a hot commodity this offseason. Johnson has interviewed with four teams (Chicago, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, and New England) and is rumored to be a favorite for the Raiders’ job. Both coaches are so busy with the Lions’ playoff prep that they haven’t even compared notes on their interviews. But Johnson made it clear he’s all-in on Glenn’s head coaching potential: “I think I told you guys this last year: he is beyond qualified right now. He wants that, and I think he’d do a phenomenal job in charge.”
Players feel the same way. Take linebacker Alex Anzalone, who has played under Glenn since their days with the Saints. Anzalone didn’t hold back his praise: “He’s a hell of a coach, hell of a teacher, hell of a person. Every leadership quality that Dan gets credit for, A.G. has that in him too. I think it’s gonna be this year. I’m excited for him.”
So, what happens if Glenn—or Johnson—gets their shot? Well, every head coach needs a team, and both guys have surely thought about who they’d want to bring along. Glenn has been mentoring linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard, grooming him to take over as defensive coordinator someday. “Shep has been there from the beginning, and he knows exactly how I think,” Glenn said. “I think he’s damn near close, if not there, to be ready.”
On the offensive side, Johnson might take someone like Hank Fraley, Detroit’s offensive line coach, to be his offensive coordinator. But those decisions can wait. Right now, both coordinators are laser-focused on the Lions’ playoff run. Glenn put it best: “During the season, you really don’t even mess with it. You’re so locked in. But when the interviews start, you do think about it. You ask yourself, ‘Is this a guy I can win a Super Bowl with?’”
If there’s one thing these guys have learned in Detroit, it’s the importance of authenticity. The Lions’ turnaround didn’t happen because people were faking it. It’s because everyone—players and coaches alike—bought into something real. “Everybody’s authentic,” Johnson said. “Our players see it, and they buy it because they know it’s honest.”
Glenn summed it up best: “Leadership is really one word: influence. Everybody I come into contact with, I want to influence in some positive way. I don’t take that for granted.” And if another franchise is smart enough to give Glenn the reins, he’ll bring that same authenticity—and influence—with him.