Jets tab their former first-round draft pick as franchise's new head coach

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The New York Jets are reaching back for a piece of their past by hiring Aaron Glenn as the head coach.

The franchise's former first-round draft pick is coming home following a four-year stint as Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator. On Wednesday, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport confirmed that the Jets are hiring Glenn following Tuesday's in-person interview in Florham Park.

Glenn reportedly left the building on Tuesday evening and returned to Detroit. He supposedly had an interview lined up with the New Orleans Saints later this week, but apparently the Jets' offer was too good to refuse.

"The deal for the #Jets and Aaron Glenn was done yesterday, the new coach just wanted to take some time and consider every facet of this," said Rapoport in a post on the social media site now known as X.

Glenn spent five seasons as Saints' defensive backs coach prior to landing on Detroit. He began his NFL coaching career with the Cleveland Browns in 2014.

After being selected at No. 12 overall by the Jets in 1994, Glenn played his first eight pro seasons in Green & White. He earned Pro Bowl selections in 1997 and 1998 under head coach Bill Parcells.

The native Texan was taken by the Houston Texans in the 2002 expansion draft and eventually finished his playing career with the Saints in 2008.

Following Mike Vrabel's decision to take the New England Patriots' job, Glenn emerged as a front runner in the Jets' search. The former Pro Bowl cornerback helped transform the Lions from a three-win team into back-to-back NFC North champions.