https://sports.yahoo.com/latest-buzz-jets-coaching-staff-164503382.html
Here’s the latest news and buzz as Aaron Glenn and the Jets build out their new coaching staff…
Jan. 31, 10:15 a.m.
The expectation is that Tanner Engstrand will be named the Jets’ offensive coordinator, SNY’s NFL Insider Connor Hughes reported Friday morning.
Engstrand, 42, has spent the past five seasons in Detroit, the last two solely as the Lions’ passing game coordinator. He also held the tight ends coach title in addition to the passing game coordinator role for the 2022 season. He was an offensive quality control coach (2021) and offensive assistant (2020).
The Jets made a run at adding Nick Caley as the OC, but the club’s top choice for the position let it be known that he did not have an interest in the job, Hughes reported.
Caley, 42, has been with the Los Angeles Rams the past two seasons – tight ends coach and passing game coordinator (2024) and TE coach (2023). He got his NFL coaching start with New England, where he mainly coached tight ends (2017-22) after stating as a Patriots offensive assistant (2015-16).
There will be some continuity on new head coach Aaron Glenn‘s coaching staff as wide receiver coach Shawn Jefferson will be staying in his position, Hughes reported, as the team blocked all interview requests from teams interested in hiring him.
The former NFL wideout came to the Jets for his second stint as a WR coach after holding that role (and the assistant head coach title) from 2019-20 under Adam Gase.
Jan. 29, 7:15 p.m.
The Jets are working to hire their special teams coordinator, and have pegged Chris Banjo to take the job, according to multiple reports.
Banjo, 34, was an assistant special teams coach with the Denver Broncos the last two seasons. Before joining the Broncos staff, he was a defensive back and played on special teams for the Packers, Saints and Cardinals from 2013-22.
New Jets GM Darren Mougey also came from the Broncos, which is where his familiarity with Banjo originated. Aaron Glenn was Banjo’s DB coach when they were both in New Orleans from 2016-18.
Banjo joins Steve Wilks, who will be the Jets’ defensive coordinator, on Glenn’s staff next season.
Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m.
Aaron Glenn is starting to fill out his coaching staff and is bringing Steve Heiden from Detroit to be the Jets’ offensive line coach, according to a report from NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
Heiden, 48, has 12 years of coaching experience in the NFL and spent the past two seasons with the Lions as a tight ends coach.
A third-round draft pick in 1999 by the Chargers, Heiden played 148 career games with San Diego and Cleveland before retiring after the 2009 season.
He got his start in the coaching ranks in Arizona as an assistant special teams and tight ends coach (2013-17) before becoming the Cardinals’ assistant offensive line coach (2018) and tight ends coach (2019-22).
Tanner Engstrand, Detroit’s passing game coordinator the past two seasons, is the favorite to also make the jump to New York as Glenn’s offensive coordinator, Pelissero noted.
Jan. 29, 5:40 p.m.
Aaron Whitecotton, who has been the Jets’ defensive line coach for the past four seasons, is being hired by the Dallas Cowboys for the same role, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
The Athletic first reported Dallas’ interest in Whitecotton.
Whitecotton coached Quinnen Williams during his two Pro Bowl seasons in 2022 and 2023. Williams also earned Defensive Player of the Year votes and a first-team All-Pro nod for his 2022 season.
Aaron Glenn has yet to fill any roles on his coaching staff, though the Jets are reportedly interviewing both Chris Harris and Steve Wilks on Wednesday for the defensive coordinator job.
Jan. 29, 11:45 a.m.
Former Tennessee Titans defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Chris Harris is set to interview for the Jets’ DC job on Wednesday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Pelissero notes that Harris and Aaron Glenn have a longstanding relationship.
A former safety who played nine seasons in the NFL, Harris began his coaching career with the Bears in 2013 before moving on to the Chargers, Commanders, and then the Titans.
Harris’ contract in Tennessee expired at the end of this season, and the club announced he would not return.
Jan. 22, 4:29 p.m.
SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes reports that former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks is Aaron Glenn‘s top target for defensive coordinator.
Wilks, who last coached as the 49ers’ DC in 2023, was a long-time assistant in Carolina, and served as the Panthers’ interim head coach in 2022.
Meanwhile, Hughes reports that Rams passing game coordinator Nick Caley is a name to watch for OC, though it could be tough to pry him away from LA due to his close relationship with Sean McVay.
https://sports.yahoo.com/latest-buzz-jets-coaching-staff-164503382.html
