Aaron Glenn could raid the Lions' coaching staff to find the Jets next defensive coordinator

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On Monday, Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets decided to fire their defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks. Now they're going to be on the lookout for their next DC, and the Detroit Lions might have some guys that could be up for the job in the Big Apple. Let's talk about a few options for guys Glenn might try to poach.

Defensive Assistant/Safeties coach Jim O'Neil

O'Neil has 20-plus years of coaching experience, and that includes being a defensive coordinator for both the Browns and 49ers during that time. O'Neill never really got a full chance to be a DC because he was on staff with coaches who would get fired pretty quickly. Mike Pettine in Cleveland and Chip Kelly in San Francisco. In New York, he can get a better shot. When in Detroit, Glenn praised O'Neil specifically for getting players ready and coaching them up the way he wanted. Maybe that leads Glenn to give O'Neill another shot.

Linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton

Glenn coached Hamilton and then gave Hamilton his first coaching job. Then promoted him to assistant linebackers coach. Hamilton is going to be a defensive coordinator in the NFL; it just depends on when at this point. Is it too soon? Or is he one of those young guys who can handle the job earlier than others?

Senior Defensive Assistant/ Outside linebackers coach David Corrao

This is an interesting one because Corrao hasn't really been back at coaching all that long. He spent four years as the Lions' director of football research, and then Glenn added him to his staff in 2022. Before the research role, Corraro was on the Dolphins coaching staff from 2008 to 2015 and held multiple defensive roles. He's been shouted out by both Glenn and Kelvin Sheppard in the last few years, and maybe he's a guy who is going to be more reserved to being a position coach. Maybe he's a guy whose research background could help him have a bigger job. For the record, I think one of the others will have a better chance.

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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Dec 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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