It was moving that way going back awhile, and now it's official. Aaron Glenn is leaving his post as Detroit Lions defensive coordinator to become the new head coach of the New York Jets.
As was the case with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and his leaving the Lions to become the Chicago Bears' head coach, Glenn is sure to be considering some Lions' assistant coaches to join him in New York.
Any desire Glenn has to take Lions' assistant coaches with him will really come down to if they want to leave. Some may be in play for a promotion in Detroit based on the staff exits that have already happened, but if that's not in line to happen they would more likely consider following Glenn for what would likely be some sort of job promotion.
With that in mind, here are four Lions assistant coaches who could follow Glenn to the Jets.
4 Lions assistant coaches who could follow Aaron Glenn to the Jets
4. Assistant special teams coordinator Jett Modkins
The San Francisco 49ers interviewed Modkins for their special teams coordinator job, but there has been nothing further happening there at this point (a second interview, etc.). Modkins could follow Johnson to Chicago and become the special teams coordinator there, but maybe he'd consider following Glenn to New York.
Glenn, according to Jordan Schultz, has retired former Jets special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff on his radar for that role on his staff. But he could easily be left to consider other options, and Modkins feels like an easy candidate to at least get an interview regardless.
3. Assistant linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton
After being cut during the 2022 preseason, in a unique move, Hamilton immediately landed on the Lions' coaching staff as a defensive assistant in early September of that year. The last two seasons, he has been the assistant linebackers coach under Kelvin Sheppard. When the Lions' staff coached at the 2023 Senior Bowl, Hamilton worked with defensive backs.
As Glenn puts together a defensive staff in concert with what's expected to be an experienced defensive coordinator hire (Steve Wilks is the name being mentioned), Hamilton may get a strong vouching for from the new Jets' head coach to get the gig as linebackers' coach.
2. Defensive assistant/outside linebackers coach David Corrao
Corrao has been with the Lions for the last seven seasons, first as Director of Football Research from 2018-2021 before stepping into his current role working with outside linebackers in 2022. He spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons at the collegiate level (defensive coordinator at Northern Colorado and senior personnel analyst at Ole Miss). Before that was with the Miami Dolphins from 2008-2015, overlapping with Dan Campbell from 2010-2015 there.
Glenn touted Corrao multiple times over his time in Detroit, so it seems natural Glenn would want him somewhere on his Jets' staff. If he's not in line for a promotion on Campbell's re-assembled Lions' coaching staff, Corrao may listen if such a proposal came from Glenn to go to New York.
1. Quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell
Brunell can almost be moved out of "could" to "will" follow Glenn to the Jets, based on reporting from Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports before and right after Glenn was confirmed as the hire in New York. There was some buzz Brunell could follow Ben Johnson to the Jacksonville Jaguars if Johnson had taken that job, and otherwise stay in Detroit, due to his deep roots as a Jaguars' player. But instead he's now more in line to follow Glenn as the offensive coordinator for the Jets.
Glenn is already working hard to put together a staff, and Brunell is hardly his only target for the offensive coordinator post. That said, Brunell might be Glenn's top target for that job.
Sources say Aaron Glenn is already busy assembling his new staff with the #Jets, which includes the following targets:
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 22, 2025
- Steve Wilks as DC
- Mark Brunell
- Chris Banjo as Special Teams coach
- Former Bears interim HC Thomas Brown
- Former Chiefs HC Todd Haley
- Mike Westhoff,… https://t.co/kg66Qv2qet
Brunell was part of Dan Campbell's original staff in Detroit, and these last four seasons as the Lions' quarterbacks coach is his only NFL coaching experience. Before that, he was a coach at the high school level.
Brunell of course played quarterback in the NFL for a long time, including the final two years of his career (2010-2011) with the Jets (for whatever that might be worth now). That playing experience his undoubtedly his biggest asset as a coach, as he may now move into an offensive coordinator role for the first time on Glenn's staff.
