Now that they are freely available to do in-person interviews and be hired after the Detroit Lions' season-ending loss to the Washington Commanders, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn could both have head coaching jobs by the end of the week.
Last week, head coach Dan Campbell had the perfect response to being asked if he knew how the initial round of Zoom interviews went for his coordinators.
"Well, why would I want to know that? You think I want them to leave?” Campbell said, with a grin, before turning more serious. “Yeah, I’ve got an idea of how they’re doing. I have not run in there and asked if they’re leaving yet. I didn't do that. At some point today (Monday), I'll talk to 'em about what transpired."
Johnson and Glenn have surely had open communication with Campbell as they took and completed head coaching interviews during the playoff bye week. Now that the interview process can ramp up, Campbell surely has some idea if he'll have to replace one of both of them.
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Dan Campbell acknowledges inevitability about Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Campbell acknowledged his instinct for what will happen with Johnson and Glenn.
"I would expect to lose both, but I haven’t been told anything," Campbell said. "I’ve got a feeling, but I’m prepared to lose both.”
Specifically regarding candidates to replace Johnson, Campbell said quarterback Jared Goff will have a lot of input in the search. That would've been expected without the head coach's public confirmation, within the idea Campbell wants the offense to keep its current terminology in place and how closely Goff worked with Johnson since he became the offensive coordinator.
Campbell acknowledged what feels like a priority to be placed on internal candidates to replace Johnson and Glenn in an effort to maintain the team's identity.
"We’ve got guys on staff that are more than qualified to be outstanding in those roles, but that does not mean I’m not looking outside either,” Campbell said. “I want what I believe is going to be as close to what we have been as possible. We don’t lose what we’re about and our identity. We’re gonna stay true to who we are.”
The price of success is having your people be coveted by other teams who want to replicate what you're doing. Campbell has always been prepared to lose Johnson and Glenn at some point, and that time is here barring something unforeseen.