Aaron Glenn could hire former NFL head coach as defensive coordinator with Jets

The NY Jets haven't officially hired a head coach at this point in time, but it looks as though Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is the clear leader in the clubhouse to serve as Robert Saleh's replacement.

Glenn, who is interviewing in person with the Jets on Tuesday, could be wrapped up as the next head coach in short order. Washington Commanders assistant GM Lance Newmark, who worked with Glenn in Detroit, might be coming along as general manager.

Glenn's success in the pros may be determined by the quality of assistant coaches he cycles in and out during his Jets tenure. While many fans are justifiably more concerned with who the Jets hire on the offensive side of the ball, it seems like Glenn already has a solid name in mind to help him get this defense back on track.

According to Connor Hughes, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks, who most recently served as defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, has been "associated" with Glenn for a long time in regards to his first choice for defensive coordinator. He has experience and a history of building some very impressive pass defenses.

Possible Jets HC Aaron Glenn could target Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator

Wilks, who was a defensive backs coach for almost a decade in the late 2000s and early 2010s, made his name as the orchestrator of the Super Bowl participant Carolina Panthers' defense. Wilks parlayed that success into a head coaching job with the Cardinals, but was fired after one 3-13 nightmare season.

Wilks has been a bit of an NFL nomad in the last few years, bouncing around between the Browns, Panthers, and 49ers as a defensive coordinator or (in Carolina's case) an interim head coach. Wilks, who went 5-6 as Carolina's interim coach, could be an experienced mind that helps Glenn in his first head coaching season.

Like both Saleh and Glenn's Detroit teams, Wilks is a strong adherent to a zone coverage scheme and puts four down linemen on the field often. Wilks and Glenn both prioritize defensive back play as the cornerstone of their defenses, which will place a ton of responsibility on names like Sauce Gardner and Michael Carter II.

Glenn filling out his staff could be what ultimately determines his success in the NFL, and it seems like one of his first hires will be a well-respected assistant with past head coaching experience who runs a very similar defensive scheme.