Jets’ Aaron Glenn sends bold first message to locker room, fans as he explains return ‘home’ – NJ.com
File photo of New York Jets cornerback Aaron Glenn (31) as the Jets prepare to host the Baltimore Ravens in preseason football action at Giants Stadium on 8/18/2001. (ANDREW MILLS / THE STAR-LEDGER)Andrew Mills/The Star-LedgerThe big takeaway from Aaron Glenn’s first few hours as the new coach of the Jets? This was the job and the challenge that he always wanted. The Jets and Glenn, the former Lions defensive coordinator, announced their agreement to make him the 22nd coach in franchise history Wednesday night. And Glenn’s enthusiasm for the opportunity ahead — as he returns to the franchise that launched his playing and coaching career — could be felt through the words of his first formal message to his new locker roomand and fan base. “To our players, prepare to be coached with everything we have,” Glenn wrote in a statement released by the team. “That is our responsibility. I ask that we share the same vision and that’s working towards winning a championship. To our fans, simply put, expect a winning team that you will be proud of.”BUY NFL TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETSMARTER, TICKETMASTERThat’s a good start for Glenn, who doesn’t seem interested in lowering expectations as he takes over a job that is fraught with challenges. It’s already clear that Glenn has a lot of support in the locker room, with several players making it known he was their preferred choice before he even got the job. But that commitment to be a winner should be exactly what the fans want to hear after years of frustration: the Jets’ 14-year playoff drought is the longest in franchise history (by far) and the longest active slump in major North American professional sports. After the Jets’ tumultuous 2024 season, and with so much uncertainty about their roster and the influence of owner Woody Johnson, there was legitimate concern the Jets might have trouble attracting a quality candidate during this hiring cycle. Well, Glenn might not have been the top candidate available or the Jets very top choice (it’s hard to imagine them turning down Mike Vrabel had he chosen them over the Patriots). But he was one of the best candidates available and the fact that he wanted to come to the Jets is a big win for a franchise trying to escape turmoil. “Aaron earned this opportunity through almost three decades of NFL experience,” Johnson said in the statement. “He brings tremendous leadership skills and the vision this organization needs to be successful. I am thrilled to see him lead this team.”Glenn knows the challenges ahead well because he’s seen the organization from the inside. It’s part of the reason he wanted to be here. The Jets drafted him 12th overall back in 1994, and he became a star cornerback at the beginning of his playing career here. When he wanted to get back into football a few years after retirement, he came to the Jets as a scout back in 2011, which ended up launching his coaching career. So it’s fitting that he’ll launch his head coaching career wearing a Jets logo. “This place is special for me,” Glenn said. “From the time I was drafted and practiced on Long Island, to the time I came back as a scout in New Jersey, this organization has always felt like home. I’m thankful to Mr. Johnson for this opportunity.”Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.Andy Vasquez may be reached at avasquez@njadvancemedia.com.If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025).© 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.YouTube’s privacy policy is available here and YouTube’s terms of service is available here.Ad Choices
