Aaron Glenn is trying to replicate the Detroit Lions’ approach. In this effort, he has hired two former assistants, ex-passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand (now offensive coordinator) and former tight ends coach Steve Heiden (now offensive line coach), for his inaugural staff as the New York Jets’ head coach.
Glenn is also expected to push strongly for the Jets to target one or more of his former Lions defensive players as free agents.
Like Dan Campbell, who continues to do the same with the Lions, Glenn is building his coaching staff with former NFL players. As reported by The Jet Press, former Lions cornerback and cornerbacks coach Dre’ Bly will be joining Glenn’s Jets coaching staff as the new cornerbacks coach.
The Jets haven’t officially confirmed the hire yet, but Bly has practically confirmed it by changing his Twitter banner to a Jets logo and posting about the story on his Instagram.
Bly played four seasons with the St. Louis Rams at the beginning of his career, then spent the next four of his 11 NFL seasons (1999-2009) with the Lions (2003-2006), earning both of his Pro Bowl selections while wearing Honolulu Blue (2003 and 2004).
After spending the 2023 season with the Lions as their cornerbacks coach, he was replaced by current defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend.
Bly began his coaching career at his alma mater, North Carolina, where he coached the cornerbacks for four seasons (2019-2022). After being let go by the Lions, he spent last season as a defensive analyst at Charlotte.
Though Glenn and Bly only worked together for one year in Detroit, and the Lions’ cornerback play wasn’t a strength that season, Bly should have more success with the Jets’ stronger roster. Glenn evidently saw something promising enough to offer Bly a second chance as an NFL cornerbacks coach.