Of all the new head coaches in the 2025 NFL season, Aaron Glenn has one of the best stories behind his ascension. A former cornerback, Glenn was drafted by the New York Jets in 1994 with the 12th overall pick. He went on to win two Pro Bowl awards during his 8-year tenure with the Jets while pulling in 24 interceptions. Now, 24 years after departing the organization as a player, Glenn has returned as the franchise’s twenty-second head coach.
Despite the Jets hiring Aaron Glenn back in January, it would appear that the full realization of what it means to be head coach of the New York Jets has just now set in for Glenn. In his media session following Saturday’s practice, Glenn revealed that it was the famous “J-E-T-S” chance from the fans during practice that really drove it home for him. You can listen to his full remarks below.
jets nation, Coach Glenn heard you loud and clear pic.twitter.com/j92Qg7vY5p
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 2, 2025
Glenn takes the reins of the franchise at a pivotal moment in its history. Trading for Aaron Rodgers in 2023 was supposed to mark a triumphant return to greatness for the Jets. A roster that was deemed Super Bowl ready would finally have the quarterback that could take them to the top. Instead, a freak injury robbed Rodgers of his entire 2023 season and 2024 saw the firing of the head coach and GM before the calendar turned to December.
The roster remains in good shape, however. With proper coaching and adequate quarterbacking, this Jets team should be good enough to contend for a playoff spot, ending their 14-year playoff drought, the longest active streak in any major pro sports league. If Glenn can instill a winning culture in the Jets’ locker room (which just underwent an epic new remodeling), and if offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand can turn Justin Fields into a franchise quarterback, then this will mark the beginning of a bright new era for Gang Green.
