DETROIT – Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is the No. 1 player-approved coordinator in the NFL, according to league-wide survey.
The NFL Players Associate asked players to rate their coordinators on a scale of 1-10. So in this instance, Glenn was being graded by the Lions’ defensive players.
The survey ran from late August until mid-November, and 774 defensive players rated their coordinators.
Glenn wasn’t just the No. 1 in terms of defense -- he was the top overall rated coordinator across all three categories (offense, defense, special teams).
Since players usually don’t want to speak poorly of their coaches in public, the NFLPA believes this was a more accurate way to determine how players feel about their direct coordinators.
Lions fans have had mixed feelings about Glenn this season. His defense was much improved throughout the first half of the season, but then struggled badly after the bye week. It seems to be getting back on track, though, with a trio of solid performances against the Broncos, Vikings, and Cowboys.
Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp also made his respective top five.
Here are the full results of the survey:
Offense:
- Frank Smith, Dolphins
- Thomas Brown, Panthers
- Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys
- Brian Callahan, Bengals
- Kellen Moore, Chargers
Defense:
- Aaron Glenn, Lions
- Steve Wilks, 49ers
- Dan Quinn, Cowboys
- Brian Flores, Vikings
- Raheem Morris, Rams
Special teams:
- John Fassel, Cowboys
- Chris Tabor, Panthers (interim head coach)
- Matt Daniels, Vikings
- Dave Fipp, Lions
- Darren Rizzi, Saints
