Parcells can hardly contain his excitement that Glenn, a former cornerback who played for the Hall of Fame coach with the Jets and Dallas Cowboys, landed his first head coaching job this week.
“I’m so excited for him,” Parcells told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday, a day after the former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator finalized his return to the Jets. “He’s really a great young man. And I’ll tell you what: Don’t let his size fool you. He’s a tiger now. They’re going to have somebody…you’re going to know he’s in charge.”
The 5-foot-9 Glenn, drafted in the first round by the Jets in 1994 (12th overall), was one of the team’s top players when Parcells arrived as coach in 1997. It didn’t take long for Parcells, aka “The Tuna,” to realize that Glenn fit the profile of a potential coach because of the serious approach that he demonstrated as a player.
“He was always looking to find out stuff,” Parcells recalled. “I can remember just standing there with him and talking with him about techniques – how to force the run, how to get out of trouble when guys are trying to block him. I can remember talking several times to him specifically about things. And the good thing about him, when you taught him something, he could take it right to the field. Not every player can do that. You explain it to him, ‘Here’s how you go about doing it,’ and he would come pretty close to doing it correctly right away.”
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Glenn and Parcells have remained in contact over the years. Parcells predicted that Glenn won’t be fazed while scrutinized in the nation’s largest market. After all, the coach has been well-prepared for the New York scene. Glenn played the first eight seasons of his 15-year NFL career with the Jets.
“He played there. He’s been there. He knows,” said Parcells, who guided the New York Giants to two Super Bowl crowns. “I grew up in that area. I knew what was going on. And he knows it. He’s experienced it. But even with that, there’s always something different coming up.”
Parcells reunited with Glenn in 2005, two years after the coach came out of retirement to coach the Cowboys.
Speaking of the Cowboys, was Parcells surprised Jerry Jones didn’t pursue Glenn for Dallas’ vacant job?
“I don’t have any idea about it,” Parcells replied. “I don’t mean that to be sarcastic. I don’t have any idea of what’s going on.”
There’s healthy debate about the attractiveness of the Cowboys job, which includes the factor of Jones’ presence as a hands-on, high-profile owner and general manager. Parcells, though, won’t engage in the debate. He still has a favorable impression.
“I can only tell from my experience,” Parcells said. “I really enjoyed being there. I have a high regard for Jerry Jones. I like him. His word is good. That goes a long way with me.”
Parcells was reminded of how he described the Cowboys’ stage when he joined forces with Jones. He said he came back “only for the big room.”
“That remains that way,” Parcells said. “I hope they find someone who’s suitable for them.”
Glenn, meanwhile, is in the middle of another big room with the Jets. And he has quite the persona to command that room.
“He definitely does have that,” Parcells said. “I’m going to tell you: They’ve got a tiger by the tail.”