Ben Johnson has taken himself off the market, but Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is lined up for another head coaching interview.
The Detroit Lions won’t be losing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to a head coaching job, but their other coordinator is still in demand for interviews. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Wednesday afternoon, the Arizona Cardinals placed a request to interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for their head coaching job.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network followed up to report the interview will take place on Saturday.
Last year, Glenn interviewed for the head coaching openings with the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints. Earlier in this hiring cycle, he interviewed for the Indianapolis Colts head coaching job (as did Johnson, before pulling his name out of the running to stay in Detroit).
The Lions’ defense hasn’t had great results in Glenn’s two seasons as the coordinator. This season, Detroit finish 31st in yards allowed per pass attempt (7.0), 30th in rushing yards per attempt (5.2), 30th on third down (45.1 percent) and 27th in the red zone (63.8 percent). But his unit did play better as the team won eight of its last 10 games to close this season, with the one big hiccup in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers.
Glenn is very well-regarded by Lions’ players, and the development of some young players under him has been notable. League-wide, he’s clearly getting noticed as a teacher and leader who is future head coach material.
Aaron Glenn getting interview as Cardinals ramp up their head coaching search
The Cardinals hired a new general manager this week, as former Titans executive Monti Ossenfort is replacing Steve Keim. So the search for who will replace fired head coach Kliff Kingsbury is naturally ramping up, which in a certain light makes the interview with Glenn a notable development.
If Johnson hadn’t removed his name from consideration, the Cardinals certainly would have submitted an interview request for him as well.
Glenn may make the same decision Johnson did if Arizona offers him the job, and stay with the Lions for at least one more year. But he should explore head coaching opportunities if he wants to, and the opportunity to talk to the Cardinals came quickly.