Jets hire Brian Duker as defensive coordinator
Brian Duker in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins. Credit: AP/Marta Lavandier
Aaron Glenn picked his new defensive coordinator. It’s not a well-known name, but he’s someone Glenn knows well.
The Jets hired former Dolphins defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Brian Duker on Wednesday. Duker worked for three seasons with the Lions when Glenn was the defensive coordinator.
Duker, 36, has no play-calling experience. It’s expected that Glenn will call the defense in 2026.
“During our time in Detroit, Brian consistently demonstrated a high football acumen and an aggressive approach to defense,” Glenn said in a statement. “I’m confident that his energy and knowledge of the game will help elevate our players and push this team forward.”
Glenn is taking a more hands-on approach after last season’s failings, particularly on the defensive side.
He refrained from calling the defense as a first-time head coach so he could oversee all aspects of the team. That didn’t work out well at all on many levels. Steve Wilks was given the reins on defense. He was fired with three games left in the seasons.
The Jets finished 3-14 and were next-to-last in total defense, 25th in points allowed, last in passing touchdowns allowed and 29th in rushing defense. They also were last in takeaways and were the first team in NFL history to go a full season without intercepting a pass.
In Duker’s two years with the Dolphins, they ranked 21st in passing touchdowns allowed in 2025 and sixth in 2024. They were tied for 23rd both seasons in interceptions with nine and 10, respectively.
Prior to that, Duker was with Glenn in Detroit as the Lions defensive backs coach (2023), safeties coach (2022) and a defensive assistant (2021). Duker also worked for the Ravens (2018-20) as a defensive staff assistant/coaching analyst and was a defensive analyst for the 49ers before that.
Glenn only interviewed Duker virtually on Tuesday for the first time. He was one of nine people Glenn spoke to for the position. The others were Wink Martindale, Jim Leonhard, Daronte Jones, Jim O’Neil, Ephraim Banda, DeMarcus Covington and Mathieu Araujo.
Chris Harris, who ended the season as defensive coordinator, is expected to remain on staff. Harris was the Jets’ defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator before his promotion. He could stay on in that same role.
The past relationship with Glenn certainly helped Duker, but Glenn just let go of someone he worked with in Detroit. Glenn parted ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand on Tuesday. Engstrand also worked with the Lions. Glenn is currently looking for Engstrand’s replacement.
Frank Reich, a former head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, is considered a leading candidate. The Jets also reportedly will interview Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells, who is getting looks from other teams as well.
There will be more candidates for the offensive coordinator spot because the Jets have to fulfill the Rooney Rule requirements and interview two minority candidates.
Glenn has been speaking with offensive and defensive coaches to fill the multiple openings he’s created since last week when he fired seven coaches.
Quarterbacks coach Charles London, passing game coordinator Scott Turner, defensive line coach Eric Washington, linebackers coach Aaron Curry, assistant defensive backs coach Dre Bly and defensive assistants Alonso Escalante and Roosevelt Williams were relieved of their duties.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
