Jan 1, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers interm head coach Steve Wilks during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Reports: Jets hiring Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator

Steve Wilks has agreed to terms to be the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator under new head coach Aaron Glenn, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday night.

Wilks, 55, did not coach in the NFL in 2024 after one season as DC in San Francisco. The 49ers fired him after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.

He was head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, lasting one season and going 3-13. Wilks was also interim head coach with the Carolina Panthers in 2022 and was 6-6.

A defensive assistant in the NFL from 2005-17 with Washington, Chicago, San Diego and Carolina, Wilks served as defensive coordinator with the Panthers in 2017 and Cleveland Browns in 2019.

He also was the defensive coordinator at Missouri in 2021, resuming a college coaching career that ran from 1995-2004.

Glenn said at his introductory press conference on Monday that he wasn’t planning to call defensive plays. He was the Detroit Lions’ DC from 2021-24.

“I want to be the best head coach you can find,” said Glenn, who was the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator from 2021 through this season. “In order for me to do that, I think I need to manage the game.”

Also Wednesday night, NFL Network reported Glenn hired Steve Heiden as his offensive line coach. Heiden worked with Glenn in Detroit, coaching the tight ends. And Glenn is reportedly set to hire Chris Banjo as special teams coordinator. Banjo was assistant special teams coach for the Denver Broncos this season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 27, 2025; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn speaks during his introductory press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Aaron Glenn to Jets: ‘Put your seatbelts on and get ready for the ride’

For Aaron Glenn, a former player and scout for the New York Jets, Monday’s introductory press conference as the team’s new head coach was a full-circle moment — and one he’s fully embracing.

“This is where I started and you can’t write a better story than that,” the 52-year-old Glenn said. “This was my start for a number of situations. As a player, as a scout and now as a head coach. And you can’t write that story no better than that. Hopefully this will be my last stop. That’s the way I’m looking at it.”

Glenn, who was introduced alongside new Jets general manager Darren Mougey, also wasn’t deterred by taking over the reins of a team with the NFL’s longest playoff drought — 14 seasons.

“I want this job,” Glenn said of his first head coaching position. “I interviewed for a number of them, but I wanted this one.”

The Jets selected Glenn with the 12th overall pick of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive back played the first eight of his 15 NFL seasons with New York and later worked as a scout for the franchise from 2012-13.

Glenn didn’t mince words while addressing Jets players in the audience.

“Put your seatbelts on and get ready for the ride,” he said. “We’re the freaking New York Jets and we’re built for this (expletive).”

Regarding the future of quarterback Aaron Rogers, Glenn said each player will be evaluated the same way. Rogers is under contract for 2025 with a projected cap hit of $23.5 million.

“This thing is not about Aaron Rodgers,” Glenn said. “It’s about the roster.”

Glenn added that he won’t rush to a decision on the future Hall of Famer but will get “the right answer.”

Glenn had been the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator since 2021 following stints as a defensive backs coach with the New Orleans Saints (2016-20) and Cleveland Browns (2014-15).

Once the Lions lost to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round, Glenn said his focus switched to landing with the Jets.

“I didn’t want to leave the building without shaking (Jets owner Woody’s Johnson’s) hand and make sure we had a contract,” Glenn said. “Everything else was really out of it. It’s all about the Jets and it’s been that way from the beginning.”

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard watches a play against Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.

Report: Kelvin Sheppard replaces Aaron Glenn as Lions’ DC

The Detroit Lions have filled one of their open coordinator positions, elevating linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator, NFL Media reported on Saturday.

Sheppard, 37, takes over for Aaron Glenn, who left to become the head coach of the New York Jets on Wednesday following the Lions’ divisional-round playoff loss to the Washington Commanders last weekend.

When Glenn took over as Detroit’s DC in 2021, Sheppard came on board and has spent the last four seasons learning under the former three-time Pro Bowl defensive back and 15-year NFL veteran.

Sheppard, who played linebacker for eight NFL seasons, including his final season with Detroit in 2018, served as director of player development at LSU — where he played college football — in 2020 before returning to the Motor City.

Detroit remains in search of an offensive coordinator to replace Ben Johnson, who took over head coaching duties with the Chicago Bears on Tuesday.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn watches a play against Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.

Jets bring aboard Aaron Glenn as head coach

The New York Jets on Wednesday hired former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their new head coach.

Glenn returns to the Jets, who selected him with the 12th overall pick of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive back played the first eight of his 15 NFL seasons with New York and later worked as a scout for the franchise from 2012-13.

“This place is special for me,” Glenn said in a statement on Wednesday. “From the time I was drafted and practiced on Long Island, to the time I came back as a scout in New Jersey, this organization has always felt like home. I’m thankful to Mr. (Woody) Johnson for this opportunity. To our players, prepare to be coached with everything we have. That is our responsibility. I ask that we share the same vision and that’s working towards winning a championship. To our fans, simply put, expect a winning team that you will be proud of.”

Glenn, 52, had a second, in-person interview with the Jets on Monday. He conducted a virtual interview with the team on Jan. 9.

“I’m excited to welcome Aaron Glenn home as the head coach of the New York Jets,” Johnson said in the statement. “Aaron earned this opportunity through almost three decades of NFL experience — 10 with us as a player and a scout. He brings tremendous leadership skills and the vision this organization needs to be successful. I am thrilled to see him lead this team.”

Glenn’s season ended Saturday when the top-seeded Lions lost 45-31 to the visiting Washington Commanders in an NFC divisional playoff game.

He has been Detroit’s defensive coordinator since 2021 following stints as a defensive backs coach with the New Orleans Saints (2016-20) and Cleveland Browns (2014-15).

The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start this season and went 3-9 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.

–Field Level Media

Dec 5, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn paces the sidelines during their against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Report: Aaron Glenn to have second Jets interview

The New York Jets will have a second, in-person interview with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, NFL Network reported Monday.

Glenn, 52, conducted a virtual interview with the Jets regarding their head coaching vacancy on Jan. 9. He is also expected to meet in person with the New Orleans Saints.

Glenn’s season ended Saturday when the top-seeded Lions lost 45-31 to the visiting Washington Commanders in an NFC divisional playoff game.

Glenn was a first-round pick (12th overall) by the Jets in 1994. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive back played the first eight of his 15 NFL seasons with New York and later worked as a scout for the franchise from 2012-13.

He has been Detroit’s defensive coordinator since 2021 following stints as a defensive backs coach with the Saints (2016-20) and Cleveland Browns (2014-15).

The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start this season and went 3-9 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn watches warm up during training camp at the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park on Sunday, July 23, 2023.

NFL coaching roundup: Assistants emerge as candidates for top job

Names of assistant coaches who could make the rounds in interviews for NFL head coach openings began to emerge Monday, with three playoff-bound assistants topping the list.

The Washington Commanders, who fired coach Ron Rivera on Monday, reportedly requested permission from the Detroit Lions to interview offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Reports also said they asked for the OK to talk to Raheem Morris, the DC of the Los Angeles Rams.

All three work for teams in the NFL playoffs, meaning they can interview virtually after this weekend’s wild-card round, but the interviews need to be conducted before the divisional round on Jan. 21.

The Lions and Rams will meet Sunday in Detroit.

Johnson has been credited as the architect of an offense that led the Lions to a 12-5 record and their first division title in 30 years.

Glenn was named the best defensive coordinator in the NFL in a survey released last week by the NFL Players Association.

Morris has head coaching experience and a 21-38 record with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-11) and Atlanta Falcons (2020).

In other news of assistant coaches:

–Three assistant coaches are leaving the New York Giants, head coach Brian Daboll said.

Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson and special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey were dismissed, and Daboll said running backs coach Jeff Nixon has been hired as offensive coordinator at Syracuse.

“I respect both of those guys (Johnson and McGaughey) and their commitment to the team. But we wanted to make a change,” Daboll said.

Daboll said he expects coordinators Wink Martindale (defense) and Mike Kafka (offense) to return.

–Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said in his season wrap-up news conference that he does not anticipate any significant changes to his coaching staff.

That applies to defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, whom he was asked about specifically.

“I believe in continuity,” Steichen said. “I’ve got a ton of confidence in Gus.”

The Colts’ defensive line tallied 51 sacks this season, the most since the franchise relocated to Indianapolis in 1984.

–Field Level Media