New Orleans Saints great Reggie Bush believes Aaron Glenn is the favorite to become the team’s new coach.
The team is looking for a new leader after firing Dennis Allen midway through the 2024 season.
The Saints have struggled to find stability after Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season and Sean Payton left after the 2021 season.
In fact, New Orleans has failed to make the playoffs the past four seasons after winning at least 11 games each year from 2017 to 2020.
However, the Saints may be considering a new coach in Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who actually served as the defensive backs coach in New Orleans (2016-2020).
“I think so,” Bush said in a one-on-one interview. Representing his partnership with Tostitos If Glenn is considered the favorite to be head coach of the Saints. “You’re going to see how much he’s changed the defense this year. Even though they’ve had some injuries, they’re still playing at a high level. I think that’s the ultimate testament to a coach, whether you’re a coach or not. A good coach.”
Despite being plagued by injuries, the Lions defense remains one of the best in the league. Detroit lost Pro Bowl pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson to injury in Week 6 and starting cornerback Carlton Davis in Week 15. Detroit ranks seventh in the NFL in points allowed per game and is coming off arguably their best performance of the season. The Minnesota Vikings, who have won nine straight games, gave up nine points.
Bush also noted that Glenn is a star cornerback in the NFL, which will help him gain the respect of players in the locker room. Glenn, 52, was a three-time Pro Bowl defensive back in his 15-year career and played his final season with the Saints in 2008, when he was actually a teammate of Bush’s.
“When you lose good players you find real coaching starts, and they lost one of their best players on defense in Aidan Hutchinson,” Bush said. “I think he’s proven what he can do, and he’s also a guy that’s going to command respect in the locker room. These guys are going to know that he’s not just a coach, but he’s a guy that plays ball.”
Bush says Saints’ Super Bowl team isn’t all about offense
Bush, who won a Super Bowl with the Saints in the 2009 season, pointed to the Saints’ aggressive defensive style as the reason they were able to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy. While many Saints fans remember Payton, Brees, and Bush, the defense forced a lot of turnovers and ranked second in that category while also ranking third in interceptions.
“Our defense was really good,” Bush said of the 2009 Saints. “I don’t know how many turnovers there were, but our defense was scoring touchdowns like every week. I think what AG brought to the table was exactly what New Orleans needed. We’ve got to get our defense back to that style of offense and we Has good offensive weapons.”
The former veteran running back and Heisman Trophy winner believes Glenn’s coaching style mirrored the Saints’ playing style during the 2009 Super Bowl season. He also said a “good” defensive performance is the “DNA” of any Super Bowl team.
“I believe in AG’s defensive style and offensive style, and that’s what I had when I was in New Orleans,” said Bush, who played for the Saints from 2006 to 2010. “That’s what helped us win the Super Bowl. When I got there, we were always a great offensive team, but once our defense improved, that’s when we became a Super Bowl championship team. I Been on a few different championship teams and that’s always been the DNA of championship teams.”
Next coach must embrace New Orleans culture
The Saints have clearly been spoiled by the tenure of Payton, who now coaches the Denver Broncos. Payton brought an unprecedented winning culture to New Orleans, with nine playoff appearances, seven division titles and nine double-digit wins during his tenure.
Prior to Payton’s arrival, the Saints had made the playoffs just five times and had one playoff victory in their first 39 seasons.
Bush emphasized the importance of the next head coach understanding the culture of New Orleans, which he will be familiar with given Glenn’s history of playing and coaching in the city.
“I think they definitely need to find someone who’s not only a great coach, but someone who can buy into the culture of New Orleans because I think that’s important,” Bush said. “When you go to New Orleans, when you coach in New Orleans, you need to understand the culture there. It’s not just about coaching the football team, it’s about what people eat, sleep and breathe in New Orleans.”
“This is a football-first city,” Bush continued. “They need someone who can not only lead the team, but lead the city like Sean Payton did.”
Bush played his first five seasons under Payton. He earned first-team All-Pro honors as a returner during the 2008 season and started 42 of New Orleans’ 60 games. The former versatile threat explained that the next head coach should follow Payton’s lead and help the Saints return to a winning era.
“I think Sean did a great job with it and set the bar high,” Bush said. “I also believe that this guy can come in here and do what he does – the right coach, the right quarterback, the right system – it can happen. It can work in New Orleans and we This has been proven.”
