Aaron Glenn Has High Hopes For His NY Jets - But History Says He Faces A Big Challenge

The New York Jets start Season 2 under the command of head coach Aaron Glenn on Sept. 13. He enters his second campaign on the hot seat, having endured a 3-14 year to start his tenure. There is reason for optimism. The Jets have a veteran quarterback in Geno Smith, who has had some NFL success. They have the return of Garrett Wilson, a three-time 1000 yard receiver. Running back Breece Hall signed a new multiyear deal and is in a good frame of mind, aiming to replicate his 1000-yard rushing season from 2025. There's also rookie David Bailey, who should be a defensive terror, and stabilizing veterans in safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and linebacker Demario Davis. All of that seems to indicate Year 2 of Aaron Glenn should see the arrow pointing up. But history is not on his side Since the franchise switched from the Titans and became the Jets in 1963, 13 permanent head coaches have reached a second season. Collectively, their record in the second year is 81-118-1, a.408 winning percentage. Only four reached the playoffs in Year 2. The most successful coaches in Year 2 include Walt Michaels, whose team rose from 3-11 to 8-8; Bruce Coslet, whose team captured a wild card playoff slot while going from 6-10 to 8-8, Bill Parcells, who guided the Jets from 9-7 to 12-4; and Rex Ryan, who took a veteran-loaded team from 9-7 to 11-5. Ironically, Robert Saleh, whom the Jets face on Sept. 13 in his new role as HC of the Tennessee Titans, was among the most successful Jets' coaches in his second year. His squad went from 4-13 to 7-10. Herm Edwards actually went down from 10-6 to 9-7 in his second year, but rallied his team from a 2-5 start to roll into the playoffs, where they walloped the Indianapolis Colts 41-0 before falling to the Oakland Raiders in the divisional round. But far more common for NY Jets coaches is melting down in Year 2. There was Charley Winner, who went from 7-7 to 2-7. And consider Eric Mangini, hailed as a boy genius in his first year when the team went 10-6, then saw them crash and burn down to 4-12. There's also Todd Bowles, who went from 10-6 to 5-11, mostly thanks to Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing 17 interceptions in 14 games. As a result of their records, Winner, Rich Kotite, Mangini and Adam Gase were no longer the coaches for a third season. That's the club that Aaron Glenn is hoping to avoid. This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.