In his NFL head-coaching debut, New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn showed flashes of the aggressiveness displayed by his former head coach, Dan Campbell.
However, the rookie head coach also made a pair of decisions that puzzled fans. Gang Green burned two of its three timeouts before a potential game-winning drive with 56 seconds left, including one ahead of a two-point conversion.
Speaking to the media on a Zoom call on Monday, Glenn explained that the timeout was necessary because Pittsburgh’s defensive alignment would have “blown up” the Jets’ play.
Glenn alerted the media to his aggressiveness earlier in the week. In his head coaching debut, he certainly showed that he’s going to take calculated gambles throughout the season.
“Early in my thought process, I was to a point where, ‘Man, let’s punt and go play defense.’ But now, when you just look at it, and you look at the analytics behind it, it tells you that there’s a really good chance you can make that,” Glenn said ahead of the opener. “So, mentally, I am somewhat aggressive, but I’m also calculated. So, it depends on who we’re going against; it depends on the situation in the game.
“But I know this, I’m going to be ready to make decisions. I’m going to make it fast, and whatever that decision is going to be, it’s going to be best for our team.”
Glenn’s debut represented a coach willing to embrace risk, even if it sparks debate. With a long season ahead, the Jets’ new commander in chief made it clear he will lean on both analytics and conviction when it comes to tight in-game decisions.