Dan Campbell Calls Aaron Glenn’s Jets Hiring One of His ‘Best’ and ‘Worst’ Days

Despite managing different teams, Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn consider themselves close friends.

Dan Campbell Calls Aaron Glenn’s Jets Hiring One of His ‘Best’ and ‘Worst’ Days

Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn in the Detroit Lions dugout (Image via Sports Illustrated)

Aaron Glenn will stand in the opposite dugout to Dan Campbell on Sunday at Ford Field. Days before the long-awaited reunion, Campbell shared his honest thoughts about former colleague Glenn.

The New York Jets hired Glenn ahead of the 2025 NFL season. 20 months later, Glenn is set to lead the Gang Green against Campbell’s Lions.

While the two coaches are rivals on the gridiron, they are close friends off it. And Campbell still misses his right-hand man.

Aaron Glenn means the world to me. He’s one of my dearest friends. Because I know what he’s made of. One of the greatest days of my life was him getting that job. And one of the worst days of my life was him getting [the New York Jets] job.

Dan Campbell said on Friday via 97.1 The Ticket

Glenn joined the Lions as defensive coordinator under head coach Campbell. Together, along with current Bears head coach Ben Johnson (who was the Lions OC), they delivered consecutive NFC North crowns (12-5 and 15-2). Ahead of the 2025 season, the Lions parted ways with both Glenn and Johnson.

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Aaron Glenn and Dan Campbell’s friendship extends beyond the Lions

There’s a unique connection between Glenn and Campbell. During their playing days, Campbell was a tight end while Glenn played his trade at cornerback. They never played together, as Glenn is four years older, but both attended Texas A&M.

Dan Campbell Calls Aaron Glenn’s Jets Hiring One of His ‘Best’ and ‘Worst’ Days
Aaron Glenn (Image via Sports Illustrated)

But they shared a locker room in the NFL. In 2005, the Dallas Cowboys signed Glenn. Campbell was already part of the Star since 2003. They reunited a decade later as coaches. The New Orleans Saints hired Campbell as assistant head coach and tight ends coach in 2016. Glenn joined the Saints staff as the defensive backs coach the same year.

Their paths intertwined in the Motor City. The Lions appointed Campbell as head coach and Glenn as the DC. Nearly six years later, they will face off as head coaches of their respective teams. Glenn told the media that Campbell will always be his friend.

The things that we talked about, we actually did — and Detroit actually ended up being exactly where they are now. Really good friend, really good person. That friendship will always last.

Aaron Glenn said via Brad Galli

The Lions lead the series 8-7 against the Jets. This fixture last took place in Week 15 of the 2022 season. Detroit won 20-17. Quarterback Jared Goff threw 23 completions for 252 yards and 1 touchdown. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 7 passes for 76 yards. As for the Jets, Zach Wilson threw 18 completions for 317 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

Both teams have gone through massive changes since then, especially the Jets. Wilson is no longer in the building. Former Jets 39th overall pick Geno Smith returned to the Big Apple for his second stint, he will start under center on Sunday.

Smith led the Jets to a victory over the Tennessee Titans on opening day. Smith completed 19 passes for 215 yards. Last week, the Jets held a 10-point lead over the Green Bay Packers heading into the final minutes of the fourth quarter. However, Jordan Love and the Packers scored a touchdown and multiple field goals to win 20-17.

The Jets are in a far better position than in Glenn’s debut season. They did not win a single game until week 8, securing a one-point victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Glenn finished his first coaching season with a 3-14 record.

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