CBS Detroit — Even with the Detroit Lions (15-2) securing a first-round playoff bye as the NFC’s No. 1 seed, both defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson have remained busy, interviewing for head coaching positions across the league.
Aaron Glenn, who was hired as the Lions’ defensive coordinator on January 19, 2021—just one day before Dan Campbell was brought in as head coach—is now in his 11th season coaching in the NFL.
On Thursday, Glenn interviewed for the head coaching position with the New York Jets. The following day, he spoke with the New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders. He is scheduled for virtual interviews with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Interestingly, the New England Patriots had requested an interview with Glenn, but reports indicate that he declined their offer. The reasons behind his decision remain unclear.
Meanwhile, Ben Johnson, who joined the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach and worked through various roles before becoming the offensive coordinator, has helped Detroit lead the NFL in touchdowns this season. Over the past three years, the Lions have consistently ranked in the top 5 in scoring.
Johnson garnered head coaching interest last year but opted to stay with Detroit. This year, his stock continues to rise. On Friday, he interviewed with the New England Patriots, followed by an interview with the Las Vegas Raiders the same day. On Saturday, he met with representatives from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.
All interviews for Glenn and Johnson are being conducted virtually as the top-seeded Lions prepare for the upcoming playoffs.
In addition, Detroit executive Chris Spielman also had a meeting on Saturday with the Jets for their general manager position.
Stay tuned as this coaching carousel continues to spin while the Lions stay focused on their playoff run.
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Lions’ Jack Fox Breaks NFL Record with Impressive 46.2 Net Yards per Punt This Season
In a season where the Detroit Lions punted the fewest times in the NFL, Jack Fox still managed to set an incredible record. The Lions punted only 45 times in 2024, but when they did, Fox was nothing short of extraordinary, averaging 46.2 net yards per punt. This not only led the league but also set a new NFL record, surpassing the previous mark of 46.0 yards set by Johnny Hekker of the Los Angeles Rams in 2016.
Fox also led the NFL with an impressive 51.0 gross yards per punt. However, it’s the net yards that truly highlight a punter’s skill, as it takes into account factors like hang time and directional accuracy, making punts more difficult to return.
A key factor in Fox’s success this season was the strategy of Lions coach Dan Campbell, who rarely asks his punter to work from plus territory. While some coaches may call for punts from inside the opponent’s 45-yard line, Campbell’s philosophy is clear: once the Lions cross the 50-yard line, they rarely punt.
Though Fox may not be the primary reason for the Lions’ success this season, his remarkable performance has certainly contributed to the team’s overall strength. For any coach, having a punter of Fox’s caliber is invaluable—even one like Campbell, who admittedly doesn’t enjoy punting much at all.
