By Sunday 
From DC to HC: Glenn Reflects on a Crucial Chapter in Detroit
Aaron Glenn is no longer just the former defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions — he’s now the head coach of the New York Jets. And when asked how he got here, Glenn didn’t hesitate to name the man who helped make it happen: Dan Campbell.
In a recent interview, Glenn opened up about how his time in Detroit, under Campbell’s leadership, wasn’t just about defense — it was preparation for something much bigger.
“Front of the Room, Not Just the Meeting Room”
Being a defensive coordinator in the NFL is a big job. But in Detroit, Glenn’s responsibilities went far beyond drawing up blitz packages.
“I give a lot of credit, man, to Dan Campbell for putting me in positions to be head coach for the Lions on certain situations,” Glenn said. “And for him putting me in the front of the room, for him asking my advice on how practice should go. So it was a really seamless transition for me to script practice. It was a seamless transition for me to be in front of the team.”
That type of exposure—stepping beyond his unit to address the full team, giving input on practice structure—was no accident. Campbell, it seems, was grooming Glenn for this moment long before the rest of us saw it coming.
More Than a Defensive Guy
What stood out most from Glenn’s reflections? His connection across the entire roster. He didn’t just earn the respect of the defense — he built real bonds with offensive players too, including young wideout Jameson Williams.
“I think he in the back of his mind, he was prepping me to be in this position,” Glenn said. “But also, I think he knew I had the ear of the team also, not just the defense because I vibe with those guys on the offense quite a bit.”
He added with a smile, “Every morning at 7:30 a.m., Jamo was in my office and we would sit there and talk.”
That kind of presence — with players from both sides of the ball — is what sets apart a coordinator from a future head coach.
“A Seamless Transition to the Big Chair”
Glenn admits that stepping into the Jets’ top job didn’t feel like a leap. Thanks to the trust and responsibility given to him in Detroit, he felt more than ready.
“I do agree with that. I think it was a little bit of both now that I actually look back and just think about the positions that he put me in,” he said of Campbell’s mentorship. “But again, I give him so much credit for making this a seamless transition for me to stand here and be the head coach of this team.”
Building a Coaching Tree in Detroit?
Dan Campbell is widely respected for instilling toughness, energy, and culture in the Lions locker room — but his legacy might go deeper than that. If Glenn thrives in New York, Campbell’s coaching tree may officially be sprouting its first major branch.
And if we’re being honest? Lions fans wouldn’t have it any other way.