The New York Jets have named Aaron Glenn as the 21st head coach in franchise history.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter first broke the news on social media.
Shortly after, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero provided additional details about the Jets’ changing direction in their front office.
“With the Jets finalizing their expected deal with Aaron Glenn to be their head coach, the team now plans to proceed to additional second interviews for their GM job, per sources. Lance Newmark was in the building with Glenn on Monday and others remain under consideration,” Pelissero reported.
Jets Take Their Time on GM Decision
The Jets had a head start on their general manager search, firing Joe Douglas on November 19. However, they are now the last team in the league with a GM vacancy.
Their competitors have moved quickly. The Tennessee Titans hired Kansas City Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi, and on January 22, the Las Vegas Raiders brought in John Spytek as their GM.
With no other teams left in the running for top NFL executives, the Jets find themselves with an advantage: time. Instead of immediately pairing Glenn with Lance Newmark, the only finalist from the first round of interviews, they are reopening the search and conducting second interviews with other candidates.
Jets Take Unconventional Path
The Jets broke from tradition by hiring a head coach before selecting a general manager. Typically, teams hire a GM first, allowing them to participate in the coaching search and ensure alignment with the incoming head coach.
This unorthodox move underscores how strongly the Jets felt about Glenn. Now, the organization must focus on finding a GM who complements his vision.
The relationship between the head coach and general manager is crucial. While Glenn will set the game-day strategy, the GM is responsible for assembling the roster. The two need to be aligned philosophically to ensure the team’s blueprint is executed successfully.
A Critical Moment for the Jets
The Jets have missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons, marking the longest playoff drought in franchise history and the longest active drought in North American professional sports.
Aaron Glenn brings a deep understanding of the Jets’ culture and history, but transforming this team into a contender will be a monumental task. Whether he can succeed in New York remains an open question.
For now, the Jets’ next challenge is finding the right general manager to help Glenn turn the team around. With proper alignment and collaboration, the Jets hope to end their playoff drought and usher in a new era of success.
