Content available exclusively for subscribers
The answer was perfect.
It wasn’t filled with clichés or platitudes.
It was the answer you wouldn’t usually get publicly from a mentor when asked about his protege, even if the protege is coming off a bad season.
Parcells was interviewed last weekend by Sal Licata, and in a wide-ranging interview that covered several topics. Parcells was asked two questions about Glenn, and really didn’t blow smoke, as so often happens in these scenarios.
What you would usually expect when a mentor is asked about a protege are answers like, “He’s a great coach, and I think he’s going to turn it around there.”
Stuff like that. Parcells did not do that regarding Glenn, who played for him with the Jets, and whom the legendary coach also helped get into scouting and coaching after his career was over.
“Do you think Aaron Glenn is set up to succeed with the Jets?” Licata asked.
Don’t really understand the question, but let’s not get bogged down in that now. I will simply say about the question is that Glenn had football czar power last year, and the team went 3-14, so not sure what Licata was getting at.
But I digress.
Parcells took this in a different direction than most mentors would have their proteges. Instead of blowing smoke defending his guy, he said, “I’m praying for him [Glenn]. He’s one of my favorite players. I really have a high regard for him personally, so I am hoping for his success.”
What an amazing answer, and why this guy is one of the GOATS of coaching.
Even in the 80s, this master motivator is still motivating.
From the man who famously said, “You are what your record says it is,” clearly, 3-14 to him is 3-14.
There is no sugar-coating it.
So based on what he saw, the way Parcells is wired, he’s not going to give us a lollipops and roses quote.
Saying, “I’m praying for him” and “I’m hoping for his success” are not endorsements. It’s more about keeping his fingers crossed that your protege/friend can do better.
Licata then asked Parcells, “Do you think he’s buying his own groceries? In order to cook the meal, I don’t know if he’s buying his own groceries. You gotta have that to have success, right?”
Once again, not looking to pick on Licata, who I don’t know, but don’t totally get that question either.
It seemed like Glenn was picking all the groceries last year. Now, it’s possible that has changed in 2026. Mike Francesa reported it has. Francesa said that Woody Johnson gave GM Darren Mougey more power this offseason. Just because a couple of beat writers said nothing has changed in the Jets’ power structure doesn’t mean nothing has changed.
Parcells’ answer to this question, about his famous quote about wanting to buy the groceries (aka pick the players), is also revealing, another case of the iconic coach not blowing smoke.
“If you know what your doing? If you don’t know what your doing. Like, if I go into a real grocery store, I don’t know what I’m doing.”
The Jets’ roster last year was one of the worst in the NFL.
Not only were there backup types starting at some positions, but the depth was terrible.
Since Glenn had enormous power last year, you have to blame him to a large degree for the construction of that roster, including showing QB Aaron Rodgers and going with Justin Fields at QB.
On paper, the Jets seemed to do a much better job this off-season with their roster and depth chart construction. Not 100 percent sure who has final say on personnel at this point, based on Francesa’s report, but that bottom line is the plan this off-season, and the excution of that plan seems much better.
But the words from Parcells about Glenn were a much bigger story than people realize.
If you truly breakdown what he said, the way he’s wired, Parcells wasn’t going to defend the job Glenn did last year. That is not who he is.
And he’s knows he’s not doing the coach any favors by doing that.
Perhaps Glenn will do much better moving forward. He clearly learned some valuable lessons from his first year on the job.
And Glenn is well-aware of that famous Parcells quote – “You are are what your record says it is.”
June 11, 2026
Premium will return by 9:30 pm (or sooner) on Friday.
