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Dan Campbell makes pitch for Lions DC Aaron Glenn to get NFL head-coaching job in 2025
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- Dan Campbell makes pitch for Lions DC Aaron Glenn to get NFL head-coaching job in 2025
When Aaron Glenn appeared on the Little Caesars Arena videoboard Monday during the Pistons game, the crowd roared and applauded . The Detroit Lions ' defensive coordinator had just shepherded a depleted unit to its finest performance of the season Sunday during a 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings that netted the franchise its second straight NFC North title, a No. 1 seed in the playoffs, a first-round bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl.
The city's fans showed their appreciation, cheering Glenn's contribution to a win for the ages. The following afternoon, so did his boss.
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"What an unbelievable job," Lions coach Dan Campbell crowed Tuesday.
But Campbell didn't stop there.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn watches a play against Buffalo Bills during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.
He went on to make an unsolicited, impromptu pitch for Glenn to be hired by any of the six NFL teams with head coach vacancies.
"He's as good of a coach as you're going to find," Campbell said. "He's an even better human being. If nobody wants him, I'll take him again, I can tell you that right now. But the thought of going through another cycle and he's not somebody's head coach, is ridiculous."
"I mean this guy is as good as they come. And he can do it all. He understands how to manage the game. He understands offense, defense, special teams. He knows how to communicate. He understands discipline of players. He's motivating, man. He's inspiring. I don't want to lose him. But I also root for the guy, because I think he is a hell of a coach."
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Campbell may soon see his wish become reality.
Lions coach Dan Campbell talks to defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn during minicamp in Allen Park on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.
The 52-year-old Glenn, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport , has virtual interviews arranged with the New York Jets , New Orleans Saints , Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars . They will be staggered from Thursday through Saturday , according to Rapoport's report.
The former defensive back, who played 15 seasons in the league, has been a hot candidate each of the past two years.
Following the 2023 regular season, Glenn met with Washington Commanders , Los Angeles Chargers , Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans to discuss their openings.
"I feel like AG is a great coach," Lions safety Kerby Joseph said last week. "He understands the players he has."
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Glenn, who has been Detroit's DC the last four years, has been forced to find solutions this season while repeatedly redrafting his lineup because of personnel losses. Six defensive starters, including elite pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson , landed on injured reserve.
Rarely has a week gone by without some player leaving the game after getting hurt. On Sunday, just hours after linebacker Alex Anzalone was activated Sunday following a six-game absence due to a broken left forearm , rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold went down early in the third quarter with a foot contusion and never returned . But Glenn's group rallied. They limited the Vikings to just 262 yards – their second-lowest output of the season.
"You can't say enough about our defense," center Frank Ragnow said afterwards.
On Tuesday, Campbell couldn't say enough about Glenn while making the case for him to land a job as some other team's head coach.
Contact Rainer Sabin at rsabin@freepress.com . Follow him @RainerSabin on X .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dan Campbell stumps for Lions DC Aaron Glenn to get head-coaching gig
