Jets to hire Lions defensive co-ordinator Aaron Glenn as new head coach: sources

Aaron Glenn is back where his NFL journey began nearly 31 years ago.

He was a game-changing cornerback for the New York Jets then. Now he's tasked with helping turn around the fortunes of the franchise.

The Jets and Glenn agreed to terms Wednesday on making the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator their head coach, a person with knowledge of the hiring told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced the hiring, which has first reported by ESPN.

Glenn, who oversaw the Lions' defence the past four years, beat out 15 other candidates for the job as the Jets went through an extensive search to find their next coach.

And they ended up choosing one of their former players — a first-round draft pick in 1994 who was mentored by Bill Parcells, became one of the Jets' best playmakers and developed into a well-respected and highly sought coach.

The 52-year-old Glenn, who turned Detroit's defence into one of the best in the league, interviewed with Washington, Atlanta, Tennessee and the Los Angeles Chargers last year. And he met with the Jets, Jacksonville, Las Vegas and Chicago this year.

Glenn spoke with the Jets during a video call on Jan. 9 and then interviewed in person Tuesday.

The Jets also interviewed Brian Flores, Jeff Hafley, Vance Joseph, Mike Locksley, Josh McCown, Matt Nagy, Ron Rivera, Darren Rizzi, Rex Ryan, Bobby Slowik, Arthur Smith, Steve Spagnuolo, Jeff Ulbrich, Mike Vrabel and Joe Whitt Jr. for the job.

Glenn would become the third Black head coach in the franchise's history, joining Herm Edwards and Todd Bowles. He's also the first Black coach to be hired to lead an NFL team during this year's hiring cycle.

The Jets also are going through a