Dallas Cowboys coaching search: Aaron Glenn emerging as 'name to watch,' per report

Aaron Glenn is emerging as a “name to watch” in the Dallas Cowboys head coaching search, FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported. The Detroit Lions defensive coordinator played for the Cowboys from 2005-06 and is someone Jerry Jones holds in “high regard.”

Glenn is one of the coveted names in this year’s coaching cycle, along with his counterpart Ben Johnson. He has interviewed for five of the seven jobs to open this cycle, only turning down the New England Patriots. They went on to hire Mike Vrabel.

The timing of the Cowboys’ decision to part ways with Mike McCarthy meant they missed a window to speak with Glenn, though. Because the Lions clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC, he and Johnson could interview virtually before the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Dallas moved on from McCarthy on Monday, meaning the Cowboys would have to wait until Detroit’s season ends to speak with Glenn.

#Lions DC Aaron Glenn is a name to watch closely as the #Cowboys continue their search for a new head coach into next week.

One league source mentioned Jerry Jones holding him in especially high regard. Glenn, who starred at Texas A&M, not only played in Dallas, but is from… pic.twitter.com/z1gU0CC4W6

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 18, 2025

Glenn, of course, is no stranger to Texas even beyond his time with the Cowboys. A Houston native, he played college football at Texas A&M, where he became a first-round pick in the 1994 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. The Jets also spoke with him about their head coach opening.

Glenn is the architect of the Lions’ defense, which ranked seventh in points allowed and fifth against the run. Detroit will take on the Washington Commanders Saturday night to start the Wild Card round. A loss would mean both Glenn and Johnson cane take in-person interviews with teams, but a win means they have to wait.

Either way, the expectation is the Lions will lose both of them. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said it’s trending toward both Glenn and Johnson getting head coaching opportunities.

“They’re going to lose both their coordinators,” Schefter said of the Lions. “Aaron Glenn’s going to get a head coaching job. Ben Johnson’s going to get a head coaching job. And the Lions are going to be in search of two replacements for two guys right now who are tracking to land head coaching jobs.

“Ben Johnson obviously connected to the Raiders job, the Jaguars job, the Bears job. Aaron Glenn, the Jets, Saints, amongst others. But it seems like, at this point in time, both guys are destined to land head coaching jobs.”