NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Detroit Lions will sign New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn as their next defensive coordinator.
Glenn was the 12th overall pick in the 1994 NFL draft by the New York Jets. He would go on to play in the league for 15 years and was recognized with three All-Pro nominations and three Pro Bowl nods.
After retirement, his first step back into the league was as a scout for the New York Jets during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. In 2014, he joined the Browns as an assistant defensive backs coach before joining the Saints in 2016 as their defensive backs coach, where he spent the last five seasons.
Glenn and anticipated head coach Dan Campbell coached together for the last five years in New Orleans but their relationship goes back further than that, as they played together for the Dallas Cowboys back in 2006 and both are also alums of Texas A&M.
Bill Parcells was the coach of the Cowboys in 2006, and both Campbell and Glenn’s coaching roots stem from his influence.
Glenn is known as a coach who is constantly trying to learn and grow as a professional. In addition to seeking advice from Parcells, Glenn spends time in the offseason learning from other defensive-minded coaches.
With the Saints, Glenn has led their secondary to become one of the best complete units in the NFL and the Lions will surely be looking for him to add that depth of knowledge towards improving their secondary as well.