Head coach tracker: Latest news on Lions DC Aaron Glenn

A look at the latest head coaching news and rumors and the interest in Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Given how impressive the Detroit Lions’ finish to the 2022 season was, it should come as little surprise that their coaching staff is getting some very positive attention. Head coach Dan Campbell is getting some talk for Coach of the Year, but his staff is also getting their flowers.

Unfortunately, that also means that Detroit’s coordinators could be hot commodities when it comes to the head coach carousel that follows every season. And, indeed, that has already been the case. Per several reports, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was requested to interview for three different head coaching positions on just the first day of the offseason. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn received one request on Monday, as well.

Things tend to move pretty quickly in NFL head coaching searches, so we’ll be tracking all of the requests, interviews, candidates, openings, and eventual hirings here—and how it pertains to the Lions coaching staff. If any other coaches—perhaps positional coaches—get interest elsewhere as teams fill out the rest of their staff, those will be added to the tracker below, as well.

For now, here’s a list of the head coach openings, and each team’s interest in the Lions staff.

Note: I am only updating the searches that Aaron Glenn is currently involved in.

UPDATE: Ben Johnson has turned down all remaining interviews and will return to Lions in 2023.

Coaching vacancies (2 remaining)

Colts

Have they requested to interview Glenn: Yes (story)
Have they interviewed him yet: YES
Has he had a second interview: YES

• Glenn completed his interview on 1/14
• ** Second interview scheduled for 2/2 **

Who are other candidates for the job:

• Colts interim HC Jeff Saturday (interviewed) ** Second interview scheduled 1/25 **
• Rams DC Raheem Morris (interviewed) ** Second interview scheduled 1/27 **
• Eagles OC Shane Steichen (interviewed) **second interview scheduled**
• Broncos DC Ejiro Evero (interviewed) **second interview scheduled 1/25 **
• Colts ST coordinator Bubba Ventrone (interviewed)
• Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy (interviewed)
• Giants OC Mike Kafka (scheduled for 1/22)
• Giants DC Wink Martindale (scheduled for 1/22) **second interview scheduled 1/28-29**
• Bengals OC Brian Callahan (interviewed) **second interview scheduled**
• Packers ST coordinator Richard Bisaccia (interviewed) **second interview scheduled 1/30**
• 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans (scheduled) — Hired by Texans
• Cowboys DC Dan Quinn (interviewed) Returning to Cowboys

Cardinals

Have they requested to interview Glenn: Yes
Have they interviewed Glenn yet: Yes — In-person interview on 1/21

Who are other candidates for the job?

• Broncos DC Ejiro Evero (interviewed)
• Cardinals DC Vance Joseph (interviewed)
• Steelers LB coach Brian Flores (interviewed)
• Bengals DC Lou Anarumo (requested)
• 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans (interviewed) — Hired by Texans
• Former Saints HC Sean Payton (interviewed) — Hired by Broncos
• Cowboys DC Dan Quinn (interviewed) — ** Second interview scheduled for 1/24 ** Returning to Cowboys
• Former Colts HC Frank Reich (interviewed) — Hired by Panthers

Texans — Hired DeMeco Ryans

Have they requested to interview Glenn: No

Who are other candidates for the job?

• 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans (requested)
• Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon (interviewed)
• Broncos DC Ejiro Evero (requested)
• Eagles OC Shane Steichen (interviewed)
• Giants OC Mike Kafka (requested)
• Former Saints HC Sean Payton (requested)
• Rams AHC/TE coach Thomas Brown (requested)

Panthers — Hired Frank Reich

Have they requested to interview Glenn: No

Who are other candidates for the job?

• Former NFL head coach Jim Caldwell (interviewed)
• Former NFL head coach Frank Reich (interviewed)
• Interim head coach Steve Wilks (interviewed)
• Eagles OC Shane Steichen (interviewed)
• Bill OC Ken Dorsey (requested)
• Giants OC Mike Kafka (requested)
• Cowboys OC Kellen Moore (requested)
• Patriots LB coach Jerod Mayo (requested)
• Former Saints HC Sean Payton (requested)

Broncos — Hired Sean Payton

Have they requested to interview Johnson: No
Have they requested to interview Glenn: No

Who are other candidates for the job?

• Broncos DC Ejiro Evero (interviewed)
• Former Lions head coach Jim Caldwell (interviewed)
• UM head coach Jim Harbaugh (interviewed)
• Former Stanford HC David Shaw (interviewed)
• Rams DC Raheem Morris (requested)
• Cowboys DC Dan Quinn (scheduled)
• 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans (requested)
• Former Saints HC Sean Payton (requested)

TL;DR version

Lions OC Ben Johnson, candidate for:

• Colts — Interviewed on January 13
• Texans — Interviewed on January 12
• Panthers — Scheduled in-person interview for January 18

Ben Johnson turned down remaining interviews and will return to Lions.

Lions DC Aaron Glenn, candidate for:

• Colts — Interviewed on January 14, Second interview scheduled for 2/2
• Cardinals — Had interview scheduled for January 21