Both the Lions’ offensive and defensive coordinators interviewed for HC jobs during this year’s hiring period. Neither ended up being hired, and each will stay in Detroit after contract adjustments.
Aaron Glenn is expected to receive a multiyear extension to stay on as Detroit’s defensive coordinator, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. This move comes weeks after the Lions agreed to a raise with OC Ben Johnson, who backed out of the HC derby — including a potentially viable path to the Panthers’ top coaching position — to stay on as Lions OC for a second season.
This will be Glenn’s third season as Detroit’s DC. A multiyear pact will provide Glenn with some financial security, though it does not automatically ensure he will be with the Lions beyond the 2023 season. The team fired Dan Campbell‘s initial OC, Anthony Lynn, after one year and was rumored to be considering a Glenn ouster a few months ago. But the former cornerback stayed on and helped drive the team’s late-season turnaround. That led to HC interest.
Glenn, 50, met with the Saints about their HC job last year, interviewed with the Cardinals and met twice with Colts brass during this year’s coaching carousel. He did not advance to the finals of Arizona’s search, which ended with Philadelphia DC Jonathan Gannon being hired, and Indianapolis went with an OC (Shane Steichen). Should the Lions’ defense continue to make strides, Glenn stands to be back in the mix for HC jobs next year as well.
Moving from Browns assistant DBs coach to Saints secondary coach to Lions DC, Glenn has climbed the ladder effectively since retiring. This extension, however, is on track to commence following a season in which the Lions ranked 28th in defensive DVOA. Their offense ranked fifth, spearheading the second-half charge. Following their 1-6 start, the Lions did see their defense assist in the turnaround. They held the playoff-bound Giants and Jaguars under 20 points, won by two scores over the division champion Vikings and prevailed at Lambeau Field in Week 18 to eliminate the Packers. More will be expected of Glenn’s defense in 2023, but the team continues to show confidence in its leader on that side of the ball.
Extending a DC who had the leagues worst ranked Defense. Sounds about right. Way to go Lions
You worked hard at bringing nothing to the table but the lazy, ever-original “Lions suck” post. Impressive.
They improved a lot as the year went on, and were also among the teams that spent least on defense—especially when you consider that their highest paid defensive player barely played last year. I’ll be curious to see what Glenn can do if they invest more in defense, and if more of their recent high draftees can actually stay healthy.
Glenn did what he could with what he has. Now if the Lions start to tool that defense I think we will see more. So glad to have him teaching this group and hope that it is for a long time. There is a reason why this guy is up for head coaching opportunities.
Not bad for a guy that Detroit nearly fired last season. The Lions’ defense has an incredibly long way to go as of this moment, but Glenn has always seemed engaged on the sidelines and active as a coach. More importantly, one cannot deny that the Lions’ players have always played hard for him and Campbell. Some more talent will undoubtedly help, but I hope to see Glenn improve his unit and produce. He has seemed like a good and engaging coach, despite Detroit’s defensive struggles, and it will be good to see if he can put it all together with some better pieces next year and beyond.
Solid signing. The first half of the season was indicative of the Lions not spending on defense et. al. The second half, well, different story.