By Moses Joshua 
New head coach Aaron Glenn brings Detroit-style culture and preparation to New York
A Familiar Formula for Success
When Aaron Glenn stepped up to the podium at the conclusion of the New York Jets’ minicamp, he wasn’t just wrapping up spring practices—he was planting the philosophical flag of a new era. And at the root of his leadership tree? None other than Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
Glenn, who served as the Lions’ defensive coordinator under Campbell for the last four seasons, is now helming his own squad for the first time. Yet even with a résumé that includes time under Hall of Fame-caliber mentors like Bill Parcells and Sean Payton, it’s Campbell’s gritty, empowering leadership style that Glenn credits most for shaping his own.
“I give a lot of credit to Coach Campbell in Detroit because he allowed me to actually act in the position of being head coach,” Glenn told reporters Thursday. “He allowed me to make those decisions to get me ready to be in this position.”
Leadership Lessons From the Motor City
Glenn wasn’t just observing from the sidelines in Detroit—he was practicing leadership in real time. Campbell gave him rare autonomy over critical responsibilities like setting the offseason calendar and planning training camp, empowering Glenn to simulate head coaching duties long before he held the official title.
That trust, Glenn says, gave him the hands-on experience to hit the ground running in New York.
“He let me make decisions that he was supposed to make,” Glenn said. “That helped me tremendously.”
It’s that Detroit-bred confidence, structure, and physicality that Glenn hopes to inject into the Jets’ DNA—a franchise long desperate for stability and identity.
Building Culture the Campbell Way
While the playbook and personnel may differ, the principles remain familiar. Glenn is bringing with him a Detroit-inspired focus on physical practices, mental resilience, and cultural accountability—hallmarks of Campbell’s own meteoric rise as a head coach.
Having once been a first-round NFL cornerback, a team scout, and now an NFL head coach, Glenn understands the importance of creating a culture, not just running drills. With training camp opening on July 22, fans and players alike will get a glimpse of how his vision begins to unfold.
A New Chapter, Rooted in Experience
Glenn’s coaching career is a testament to preparation meeting opportunity. From his early days as a scout to now running one of the NFL’s most watched teams, every stop has helped mold his coaching DNA. And perhaps none more so than the grit-and-grind blueprint learned under Dan Campbell.
Now, Jets fans are hoping that formula for success translates into wins on Sundays.