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Detroit Lions' Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn requested for head coach interviews by Washington

marlowe alter, detroit free press
·2 min read
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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches a play against Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches a play against Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.

The Detroit Lions have just completed their most successful regular season in 30 years, and they might pay the price after the season.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are both already in demand, one day after the regular season concluded.

The Washington Commanders on Monday fired head coach Ron Rivera and have requested interviews for both Lions coordinators, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported.

"The #Commanders aren't wasting time: They've requested interviews with #Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn for their head coaching job, per sources," Pelissero tweeted Monday morning.

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The earliest those virtual interviews can take place is next week. No in-person interviews are allowed for any head coach job with current NFL assistants until Jan. 22, under the recently revised rules. That is the first day after the divisional round.

NFL head coach openings so far: Washington, Atlanta, Las Vegas.

The Lions went 12-5, tying the franchise record for wins during the regular season, and will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in a wild-card game.

Johnson, 37, returned to the Lions last January after earning head coach interest following his first season as the team's coordinator under head coach Dan Campbell. He took over as pass game coordinator down the stretch in 2021, after Campbell stripped coordinator Anthony Lynn of play-calling duties.

Johnson last year interviewed virtually with three teams: the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts, and was considered one of the top coaching candidates on the market. He was reportedly a front-runner for the Carolina job before pulling out of the process.

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn shakes hands with safety Brian Branch before the Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn shakes hands with safety Brian Branch before the Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.

Glenn, 51, is a former longtime cornerback in the NFL and also interviewed for the Colts job last year, which went to Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen. Glenn is in his third season as Campbell's D-coordinator.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn requested for coach interviews