Lions DC Aaron Glenn completes virtual head coaching interview with Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons announced Friday they’ve completed a virtual interview with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for their head coaching vacancy.

Glenn, 51, has served as the Lions’ defensive coordinator for the past three seasons under head coach Dan Campbell. Glenn has been instrumental in Detroit’s efforts of reaching the NFC Divisional Round for the first time since 1991. Though the Lions finished the 2023 regular season 23rd in yards allowed per game (336.1) and 23rd in points allowed per game (23.2), Detroit’s run defense ranked near the top of the league. The Lions wrapped up the regular season surrendering just 88.8 rushing yards per game, second in the NFL only behind the Chicago Bears (86.4).

Still, the Lions took a big leap in 2023 under Glenn as compared to previous seasons. Detroit finished 28th in scoring defense and 32nd in total yards in 2022 and were 31st in scoring and 29th in total yards in 2021.

Like Glenn, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is also on the radar of teams looking to fill their head coaching vacancies. Speaking with the media Friday, Campbell discussed what makes both his coordinators stick out.

“We’ll find out because it starts today,” Campbell said, via Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “I know this about both of them: Man, they are 100 percent team-oriented. They’re all about the team, they’re all about this plan, they’re all about those players in that room and the other coaches around them. That’s where it all starts for them. They both understand they have an opportunity, and so they’re going to take these. But they also know, hey, if anything, what you’re going to get is I’m going to tell you — you’re going to find out who I am, right?

Falcons interview Aaron Glenn, looking to replace Arthur Smith

In addition to the Falcons, Glenn has interviews lined up with the Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Chargers. The Falcons, looking to replace Arthur Smith, have also interviewed former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and Ravens assistant head coach Anthony Weaver.