The New Orleans Saints have requested interviews with many head coach candidates up to now, however to me, one stands above the remainder. Aaron Glenn is among the high candidates within the NFL for a number of head teaching spots. The Jets, Bears, Raiders, and Saints have all requested an interview with Glenn, and I’d not be shocked to see the Jags comply with go well with within the coming days. The NFL respects Glenn, and that’s evident from the large quantity of curiosity across the league, however what makes him a high candidate?
When Aaron Glenn took over as Lions defensive coordinator in 2021, the protection was in a foul spot. The secondary was one of many worst within the league, the run protection was horrible, and the general expertise was missing. Within the 2021/2022 season, the Lions completed 3-13-1, and lots of the similar defensive points have been current, however that was primarily on account of how unhealthy of a spot the roster was in. Additionally, it was Dan Campbell’s first 12 months as HC and Aaron Glenn’s first 12 months as a DC. After this season, Aaron Glenn improved as a defensive play-caller, and it was evident that the Lions would see success in 2022. The run protection was significantly better, the go protection was holding its personal even with little enhancements at cornerback, and the go rush grew to become a energy of the workforce. The Lions have by no means appeared again, and Aaron Glenn continues to enhance 12 months after 12 months.
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Wanting on the Lions coordinators, Ben Johnson is normally the main target of many organizations on account of Detroit’s spectacular offense. Nevertheless, that ought to not diminish what Aaron Glenn is doing on protection. Detroit’s roster has been hit by accidents all season, with probably the most vital loss occurring in week 6, with star edge rusher Aiden Hutchinson breaking his leg and touchdown on injured reserve. To every other workforce, these accidents would have huge impacts on a season and destroy recreation plans. Properly, the Lions protection stayed the most effective within the NFL, and that was due to Aaron Glenn.
It’s laborious to match an offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator, however Aaron Glenn is the defensive model of Ben Johnson. Whereas Johnson’s play calling and insane faux performs with linemen pattern on social media, Glenn’s play calling is equally spectacular. He makes use of a fluid recreation plan that matches regardless of the opposing offense makes an attempt to do. When individuals say soccer is usually a chess match, that is what they imply.
When Aaron Glenn is teaching his protection, tackling just isn’t a difficulty, man protection is closely utilized, and blitzes are used extraordinarily tactically. Linebackers and safeties are important to the protection’s success, and Glenn will transfer them everywhere in the area. The go rush additionally appears a bit totally different from different groups. Some coaches could have their line of defense go on the market and attempt to simply win their matchups. Glenn will as an alternative put the Lions line of defense in higher conditions to get to the quarterback. For instance, when the ball is snapped, the defensive deal with will slowly transfer to the surface and fix to the offensive deal with, whereas the sting rusher will break to the within and face the guard. This can both create a better one-on-one matchup for the sting rusher in opposition to the guard or open up sufficient house for the sting rusher to get to the QB. This is only one instance of how Glenn will get the most effective out of his gamers and places them in advantageous conditions. He is a superb defensive coordinator, however individuals nonetheless have reservations, notably concerning the Saints.
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Individuals make two most important arguments in opposition to the Saints hiring Aaron Glenn: He was a coach beneath Sean Payton in New Orleans, and Glenn is simply one other Dennis Allen.
Many individuals, together with myself, would really like the Saints to go in a brand new course concerning the following coach, which suggests no connections to earlier Saints regimes. Glenn was a defensive backs coach beneath Sean Payton from 2016 to 2020, so in idea, that ought to rule him out, however there’s a totally different method to take a look at this. Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson leaving the Lions for head coach jobs marks the beginning of the Dan Campbell teaching tree. Campbell sits together with his coordinators all through the season and teaches them methods to enhance. This goals to arrange Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson for fulfillment once they turn out to be head coaches themselves. Glenn has improved to the purpose it ought to separate his time with the Lions from his time with the Saints.
The second argument, which is Aaron Glenn is simply one other Dennis Allen, is an comprehensible fear on account of how the final regime ended, however it’s removed from the reality. Allen was a high defensive thoughts within the NFL however lacked management capabilities and struggled to be in that head coach position. Glenn is already touted as an actual chief within the locker room. He motivates his gamers irrespective of the scenario and is a voice that individuals hearken to. That is a necessary trait that Dennis Allen lacked as head coach. Sure, a coach must be good on the X’s and O’s, however additionally they should be a frontrunner, and Aaron Glenn can carry each.
The Saints are anticipated to interview Aaron Glenn this week.