Aaron Glenn has been part of the past two head coaching cycles, making his stock something to monitor during the 2023 campaign. The Lions defensive coordinator is facing increased expectations this season, and he is looking to parlay success into a top job at some point in the future. 
The 51-year-old joined the Lions in 2021, when they gave him the first coordinator opportunity of his career. Detroit has generally struggled on that side of the ball during Glenn’s time at the helm, and after four games last season head coach Dan Campbell needed to publicly shout down speculation the former corner could be on the hot seat. A defensive turnaround to close out the campaign aided the Lions’ playoff push, however.
Between that brief period of success and the plethora of moves made this offseason to bolster the defense, Glenn’s unit is expected to take a dramatic step forward in 2023. A rebuilt secondary in particular should elevate a Lions team which ranked 30th against the pass last season and surrendered more than 25 points and 392 yards per game. Improvement could boost Glenn’ head coaching stock, something he is acutely aware of.
“Listen, I’m not going to sit here and say I don’t want to be a head coach, Glenn said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I do. I understand the patience that it takes to wait your turn until that happens. And even when it does happen, listen, I know there’s going to be a learning curve in that aspect, but I would say the thing these last three years, I learned so much about being in that position and understanding what that position takes to be successful.”
Glenn reportedly earned himself a multi-year extension in Detroit this winter, giving him stability ahead of a critical year for himself and his unit. He interviewed with the Saints last year and met with the Cardinals and Colts during the 2023 hiring cycle, though, illustrating the interest already shown in him around the league. Meeting or exceeding expectations could accelerate his track to a head coaching role, or at a minimum earn him a higher standing within the Lions’ organization.
I hope Glenn and Johnson both get head coaching jobs next offseason. Would mean the Lions lived up to high expectations.
I hope the entire, collective NFL front offices and medias suffer from catastrophic amnesia and forget Ben Johnson’s name and phone number and he never never ever leaves
Lions had one of the worst defenses last year. Instead of eying a HC job he might want to improve the defense first
Was going to say the same thing.
Lions defense was pretty good second half of the year when the rookies started to thrive. Should be better this year with the free agent acquisitions.
I agree with all the above. The Lions’ defense really took huge steps forward eye-test wise towards the end of the year, and Glenn seemed very engaged in that. He seems to have the persona of a head coach. That said, those are simply impressions at this point. Glenn needs to show not only that the defense is solid over the course of a season, he needs to preside over a sustained period of success to prove that he can lead successfully in the long term.
I am hopeful that Glenn can, because he seems to have made good progress as last year progressed. The young guys helping to build a sustained culture under Glenn should help keep that going, and fixing a couple of holes will aid in that pursuit as well.
*EVERY coordinator wants to be a HC. Every single one.
why is this a story? He said he would like to be a head coach some day, just like 95% of the other coordinators in the NFL
Another case of failing upwards?
Much has been said about DET’s defensive turnaround, but half a season is, in fact, only half a season. What Glenn does this year will likely show if he did elevate that defense, or if they got lucky later on.
Exactly.
The Lions were, and are, the youngest squad in the NFL and it took time for the D to gel last year. With the acquisitions they’ve made this offseason, they will improve this year which means AG will get more looks at a HC position in the league. But in my honest opinion, it will be Ben Johnson who gets the first head coaching gig out of the 2 coordinators. Hopefully both!
Aaron Glenn was a locker room favorite and beloved by the fans. He was highly respected by his peers and he’s worked his way up the ranks. He will be an outstanding head coach one day.