NFLPA survey voters chose Aaron Glenn of the Detroit Lions as the best defensive coordiator.
It goes without saying that the coaching staff of the Detroit Lions has played a significant role in the team’s three-year turnaround, which has resulted in its first division title in thirty years. These days, Aaron Glenn and Dave Fipp—two coordinators who are not typically in the spotlight—are the center of attention.
NFL players acknowledged that pair as the best in their respective fields.
In a poll conducted by the NFL Players Association on Thursday, Glenn was named the league’s best defensive coordinator and Fipp the fourth-best special teams coordinator.
Between late August and mid-November, the NFLPA polled over 1,700 players anonymously regarding the best coordinators for each team in the league for each position. According to the NFLPA, the top five coordinators in the poll had the highest average rating from players on their respective teams.
There are numerous ways to gauge the Lions’ progress, but two very significant indicators Wednesday
According to a statement from the NFLPA, the purpose of making these results public is to “ensure that players’ opinions are heard and accounted for by clubs ahead of the next hiring cycle” and to “highlight and focus on the positive impact coaches can have on players across the league.”
More highly rated than defensive coordinators Steve Wilks (49ers), Dan Quinn (Cowboys), Brian Flores (Vikings), and Raheem Morris (Rams) was Glenn. Fipp rated higher than Darren Rizzi of the Saints and came in fourth place, behind John Fassel of the Cowboys, Chris Tabor of the Panthers, and Matt Daniels of the Vikings.
[MUST LISTEN: Turn “Carlos and Shawn” into your favorite Detroit sports podcast; it is accessible on Apple Podcasts and Spotify].
NFLPA President JC Tretter stated in an interview with ESPN that Glenn was the most highly regarded coordinator in terms of special teams, offense, and defense.
Throughout his three years with the Lions, Glenn has been under fire due to inconsistent play from his unit even though the offense has developed into one of the league’s best. Glenn’s rookie season saw the Lions finish 31st in scoring defense (27.5 points allowed per game), but they made a small improvement the following year to finish 29th (25.1 points allowed per game).
HEAVY YEAR: Frank Ragnow and Sam LaPorta are two of the five Lions selected for the Pro Bowl
The defense improved somewhat more as well, scoring 23.4 points per game and ranking 23rd overall while allowing 329.1 yards per game to opponents, which ranked 15th. Detroit is defense has been strong against the run, allowing just 88.8 yards per game on the ground, which is fifth-best in the league. However, the secondary has been weak, allowing an NFL-low 240.4 passing yards per game.
The defense has struggled with injuries for the majority of the season, but just before the playoffs start, they are starting to heal. With C.J. Gardner-Johnson back at safety and defensive linemen James Houston and Alim McNeil getting closer to playing again after their injuries, Glenn is putting the finishing touches on a new safety rotation.
