Why Aaron Glenn can lead Jets out of the abyss

New York Jets fans have desperately searched for a way out of the bottomless pit of darkness for what feels like an eternity. While Wednesday's hiring of Aaron Glenn as head coach won't undo years of pain, it's a step in the right direction for the troubled franchise.

The former Jets cornerback has over 30 years of NFL experience, as well as a bulletproof reputation around the league. No other endorsement is more significant in Jetland, though than that of Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Bill Parcells. "The Big Tuna" coached Glenn on Gang Green from 1997-99 and has mentored him ever since.

Parcells lauded the former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator's work ethic and preparation, via ESPN's Rich Cimini.

“I know he’s done an awful lot of diligent work to prepare himself to be a pro coach. He worked hard over the years," Parcells said. "He started in scouting, which is a very good place to start, and learned about personnel acquisition, prototypes and things like that. He knows all that.”

Indeed, Glenn was a Jets personnel scout from 2012-13 before serving as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2014. The three-time Pro Bowler was then hired as the New Orleans Saints' secondary coach in 2016 before becoming the Lions' defensive coordinator in 2021.

Parcells is also confident in his pupil's ability to handle the New York market.

“I think Aaron is going to be himself. He’s very straightforward. He’s a very candid guy," the retired legend said. "I don’t think that will be a problem, I really don’t. I think he’ll just be Aaron Glenn, and I think that will be fine. He’s a very honest, principled guy. I have a high regard for him, I really do.”

While Parcells may be biased, his words can't be taken lightly. The two-time Super Bowl champion is the only NFL coach to ever take four different teams to the playoffs and three to a conference championship game, so he's not just anybody. Furthermore, he rarely hands out such glowing reviews publicly.

Glenn's defensive background may be fatiguing to a Jets fanbase that's been stuck with incompetent offenses for eons. Except for the Adam Gase "error," New York has only had defensive-minded head coaches since Parcells' arrival in 1997.

However, Glenn's stint in Detroit was uniquely impressive, as he inherited the league's worst scoring defense in 2021 before improving the injury-ravaged unit to No. 7 this season. It's easy to single out the Lions' 45-31 playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, but one must consider the larger body of work.

Additionally, Glenn doesn't ignore the offense, via ESPN's Ben Solak.

"He has spent every offseason since 2021 meeting with offensive coordinators to learn how they build game plans, collegiate defensive coordinators to see what schematic wrinkles he can glean, and veteran coaches to prepare for end-of-game situations," Solak reported.

It's fair for jaded Jets fans to leave their pom-poms on the floor until they see their first playoff berth since 2010. With that being said, it's hard to think of a better head coaching choice than Glenn considering the remaining options.