Long-time NFL defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who was a candidate for the Jets defensive coordinator job in January, until it was decided that Aaron Glenn should handle the job himself, had some strong words regarding this matter on Pat Leonard’s podcast.
“Just think if the owner would have actually paid for a real defensive coordinator, they might have had a chance to win some more games,” Martindale said.
Now some people will say that is just “sour grapes” because he didn’t get the job. Some might say he’s bitter and has an axe to grind.
Martindale was basically saying if you get Glenn a “real defensive coordinator,” he could focus on running the entire team like he originally planned on doing.
Considering how the Jets defense has played this year, it’s hard to totally shoot down the premise that “they might have had a chance to win some more games” if Martindale (or another veteran DC) was running the defense.
Maybe the Jets win one of these close games they lost if their defense was a little better.
Glenn made it clear when he was hired in 2025 he just wanted to be a CEO head coach.
“I won’t call the defense, Glenn said after being hired. “I want to be the best head coach you can find. In order for me to do that, I think I need to manage the game.”
Perhaps the decision to stop him from hiring a veteran DC after last season was an error.
With the Jets now sitting at 2-6, it’s starting to look like making Glenn handle two jobs was a suspect plan.
Some head coaches can do that; many can’t.
It’s not for everybody.
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