Despite results that were at times lacking or inconsistent over his first three seasons as Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator. Aaron Glenn was wanted for multiple head coaching interviews. This year, the results have come together, despite the massive loss of defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and some other notable injuries to the Lions' defense.
Being without Hutchinson was going to a head coaching resume-building moment for Glenn, and he has answered that bell big-time. He will be highly in-demand for interviews again in the upcoming hiring cycle.
Over the six games since Hutchinson went down with a fractured fibula and tibia in his left leg, the Detroit defense has allowed 316 yards and 15.3 points per game. Those numbers are a few notches less than what they allowed over the first five games of the season (329.4 yards and 18.2 points allowed per game). The Lions have not allowed a single point in second half of three straight games.
Amik Robertson gets to the core of why Aaron Glenn will be a good head coach
Lions cornerback Amik Robertson spoke with Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer after Sunday's win over the Indianapolis Colts. He talked about the Lions' defense continuing to come together as a unit without Hutchinson, being glad to have come to Detroit as a free agent last March and how he has fully bought into "Lions football."
Regarding Glenn specifically, Robertson got all the way to the core of why the Lions' defense has had the success it has this season. And as a tentacle of that, why Glenn will be a fantastic head coach when he gets the opportunity.
"His passion—he cares. He cares about his players", Robertson told Breer. "When you got a guy that backs you up and cares about the players and what’s good for the players, you got no choice but to run through a wall for him. I’m glad I was able to come here and be able to get coached by a coach and individual like A.G.”
Glenn is a well-regarded coordinator and leader, rooted in being a former player and understanding that perspective in concert with the coaching acumen that is fully shining now. Robertson's sentiment is definitely shared widely, in the Lions' locker room and among players around the league.