Quick: Who are the best NFL defensive coordinators today? That’s a fun list. We could name several, like Baltimore’s Mike Macdonald, Cleveland’s Jim Schwartz, and many more.
But the Detroit Lions? No disrespect, but Aaron Glenn is not one of the first names that comes to mind when thinking of top defensive coordinators today.
However, that’s not how his Detroit Lions defenders view things.
According to a new NFL Players Association poll, Glenn is the top-ranked defensive coordinator today, voted on by over 750 active defensive players.
Here’s how the rest of the top-five shakes out, and in the tweet below, you can see the top-ranked offensive coordinators and special teams coaches, according to players.
- Aaron Glenn – Detroit Lions
- Steve Wilks – San Francisco 49ers
- Dan Quinn – Dallas Cowboys
- Brian Flores – Minnesota Vikings
- Raheem Morris – Los Angeles Rams
Since taking over control of the Lions’ defense, Glenn has taken a unit that ranked dead last, allowing opponents to score 32.4 points per game in the season before he was hired. Once Glenn was on the job, the Lions improved slightly, allowing 27.5 PPG, while ranking 31st in points allowed. The next year, the Lions improved to 28th, while allowing 25.1 PPG.
Now in his third season coordinating Detroit’s defense, Glenn has the Lions allowing 23.4 PPG, which ranks 23rd in the NFL. Certainly an improvement, but all the other coordinators on the top-five list below him are leading top-20 units.
While Glenn has not received a chance yet, four names on this list have already been NFL head coaches, yet there are plenty of indications they could one day land another head coaching opportunity. Having the players on your side certainly helps.