Jets new hire confirms pursuit of Aaron Glenn to be their next head coach

The New York Jets, as usual, are a team in turmoil as the 2024 season winds down. There's a lot of uncertainty looking to 2025, but one thing that is for certain is they will have a new head coach. There has been plenty out there tying them to Lions' defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, with his tie to the franchise that drafted him as a player a must-mention.

As far as Glenn's interest in the Jets' head coaching job, that may come down to the other options he has. It's easy to think he will want no part of the persistent dysfunction under owner Woody Johnson, leaving aside any sentimentality for the team that drafted him.

The Jets made some interesting news on Monday with reports they've hired The 33rd Team to help with their searches for a new general manager and head coach. The 33rd Team was founded by former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, with he and fellow former NFL general manager Rick Spielman leading the project.

Jets hiring of former GM confirms pursuit of Aaron Glenn as next head coach

Tannenbaum worked for the Jets from 1997-2012, serving as director of player contracts (1997-2000), director of pro player development (2000), assistant general manager/director of pro personnel (2001-2005) and finally general manager/senior vice president of football operations (2006-2012). That long history helps explain why Johnson turned to The 33rd Team to help with their searches for new football leadership, however that's easy to criticize given that Tannenbaum is a former Jets' GM.

The final five of Glenn's eight seasons as a Jets' player (1997-2001) were the beginning of Tannenbaum's run with the team, and in June of 2012 Tannenbaum hired Glenn as a scout.

Tannenbaum's respect for Glenn is obvious.

Spielman helped the Washington Commanders with their coaching search last year, and he recommended they interview Glenn. So that's notable, but the tie that binds the strongest regarding the Jets' interest in the Lions' defensive coordinator is Tannenbaum.

Glenn interviewed for the Jets' head coaching job in 2021, before Robert Saleh was hired and he then followed Dan Campbell from New Orleans to Detroit to be the Lions' defensive coordinator.

The Jets are a practical lock to take a second run at making Glenn their head coach now, and he might be the No. 1 candidate Tannenbaum recommends.