Patriots request interview with Lions defensive coordinator
The New England Patriots have reportedly put in a request to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for their head coaching job.
The New England Patriots’ head coaching search now has a fifth named candidate. On Wednesday afternoon, Albert Breer of SI reported the team has put in a request to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Glenn, 52, is widely viewed as one of the top candidates available in this coaching cycle. He’s been in his current role since 2021, and this year despite dealing with a number of injuries the unit ranks seventh in the NFL in fewest points allowed.
This is Glenn’s third coaching stop. After starting his coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2014, he went on to be the defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saints two years later. He also spent time as a scout with the New York Jets in 2012 before beginning his coaching career.
Prior to coaching Glenn played 15 NFL seasons as a cornerback, primarily with the New York Jets and Houston Texans. While with the Jets he played under former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
Because the Lions are in the playoffs, Glenn’s window to interview is limited. He can only interview virtually, and for the interview to happen this week it would have to take place between Thursday and Saturday.
The Patriots aren’t the only team interested in Glenn. With the Patriots’ request, he’s now been requested by all six teams needing a head coach. Given that demand to speak with Glenn, Breer noted on Twitter/X that “Glenn’s schedule’s already pretty full. We’ll see if he gets the Pats in.”
Glenn isn’t the only Lions coordinator the Patriots will talk to in this process. They’ve also scheduled an interview with Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, which will reportedly take place on Friday. In addition to the Lions’ coordinators the Patriots are also scheduled to interview former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on Thursday. They have already completed interviews with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and former Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.
