Five First-Time NFL Head Coaches Face Team Rebuilds, Playoff Droughts

Aaron Glenn, a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback and recently appointed head coach of the New York Jets, is one of five first-time NFL head coaches this season, alongside Jacksonville's Liam Coen, Chicago's Ben Johnson, New Orleans' Kellen Moore, and Dallas' Brian Schottenheimer. Glenn prepared for this role during four seasons as Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator, where he was entrusted with many head coach responsibilities by Dan Campbell to ready him for leadership. Tasked with reviving the Jets, who hold the NFL's longest playoff drought at 14 seasons, Glenn and new GM Darren Mougey have focused on rejuvenating the roster by moving on from veteran players such as quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams. Each of the five new coaches faces unique challenges as they transition from long-time assistants to managing entire rosters and coaching staffs. Meanwhile, the role of NFL head coach has grown increasingly complex over the past 25 years, with rising technology, analytics, and business pressures adding to the demands and scrutiny faced by coaches. Despite these stresses, some veteran coaches like Andy Reid maintain a calm and efficient approach, highlighting the varied coping styles among NFL leaders.