There are a plethora of names being linked with NFL head coaching jobs and Detroit‘s defeat in the divisional round this past weekend appears to have served as a catalyst for movement. For the Saints, one of the top names to emerge in recent weeks is Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Glenn has been heavily linked to the Saints vacancy, though it has been widely reported that the New York Jets have the upper hand when it comes to their former player. Today, Tuesday Jan.21, Glenn is meeting the Jets in person and according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, could be hired by the day’s end.
Saints Head Coach Candidate Visits Jets
“A Monumental Day”
The Saints appear to be falling behind in the race to hire their top head coaching candidates. First, Mike Vrabel was hired by his former team, the New England Patriots. The Patriots appear to have zoned in on Vrabel early and although the Saints requested an interview with Vrabel, it seems that they were never really in contention.
After the Lions were unexpectedly defeated by Washington on Saturday, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was quickly pounced upon by Chicago, who had previously interviewed him via video call.
Now, perhaps the most sought-after candidate remaining is Glenn. Glenn’s potential suitors seem to have whittled down to two teams, the Jets and the Saints. It would appear though, that New Orleans might have to wait a little longer to find their new head coach, with New York looking to seal a deal as early as today.
A monumental day: Top target Aaron Glenn visits the #Jets & the goal is to keep him from leaving the building, sources say.
The deal isn’t done & there are still some particulars to discuss. But if all goes well, he could end today as HC of the NYJ. If not, the #Saints await. pic.twitter.com/70yHBb5Rel
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2025
Bad To Worse
For Saints fans, if it was starting to seem like fate was conspiring against their team, those worries were not to be eased.
For just hours later, Tom Pelissero reported that due to adverse weather in New Orleans, the team’s interviews with several head coaching candidates, including Glenn, were to be pushed back.
Due to severe weather, the #Saints are rescheduling this week's round of in-person interviews for their head coaching job. Mike Kafka was supposed to be today, with Aaron Glenn and Anthony Weaver scheduled for Wednesday; interviews are now expected to resume later in the week.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 21, 2025
The fact that the Saints had an interview scheduled so close to the Jets may have kept them in the race. This news may just serve to extinguish any remaining hope. It seems as though the Jets may get their man, meaning the search for the next Saints head coach goes on.
Main Photo: Junfu Han – USA Today Sports
