Jets’ coaching search heats up with interviews of Chiefs’ Spagnuolo and Maryland’s Locksley. Will one of them land the job?
The New York Jets continue their search for a new head coach, with recent interviews conducted on Friday with Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley. These interviews expand the Jets’ growing list of candidates to seven, as the team looks to find the right leader to turn their fortunes around.
Alongside their head coaching interviews, the Jets also spoke to Mike Greenberg, the assistant general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for their GM opening.
The Growing List of Coaching Candidates
With Spagnuolo and Locksley added to the list, the Jets’ head coaching candidates now include Mike Vrabel, Ron Rivera, Rex Ryan, Matt Nagy, and Aaron Glenn. This diverse group brings a range of experience and expertise, and the Jets are carefully evaluating each option to determine who will best lead the team moving forward.
Spagnuolo, who has previous head coaching experience in the NFL, has spent the last six seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs under Andy Reid. His leadership helped the Chiefs become a perennial playoff team, with Spagnuolo playing a key role in their success, including their Super Bowl victories. The 65-year-old coach participated in a virtual interview with the Jets, as teams with a bye in the first round of the playoffs, like the Chiefs, are permitted to conduct virtual interviews during this time.
Steve Spagnuolo: A Proven NFL Veteran
Spagnuolo brings extensive experience to the table, both as a defensive coordinator and a former head coach. During his time as head coach of the St. Louis Rams (2009-2011), he struggled with a 10-38 record but gained valuable experience that has shaped his coaching career. More recently, he served as the interim head coach for the New York Giants in 2017, posting a 1-3 record after Ben McAdoo’s firing.
His defensive expertise has been critical to the Chiefs’ success, where he has been part of four Super Bowl championships—three with the Chiefs and one with the 2007 New York Giants, who famously defeated an undefeated New England Patriots team. Spagnuolo’s defensive schemes have helped the Chiefs maintain consistent playoff contention, making him an intriguing candidate for the Jets’ head coaching role.
Mike Locksley: Success at Maryland
On the other hand, Mike Locksley brings college football experience and a successful track record with Maryland. As head coach of the Terrapins, Locksley has compiled a 32-36 record over six seasons. While Maryland’s 4-8 record in 2023 fell short of expectations, Locksley led the team to bowl victories in each of the previous three seasons, including the Pinstripe Bowl, Duke’s Mayo Bowl, and the Music City Bowl. The Terrapins’ 8-5 records in both 2022 and 2023 marked the first time in 20 years that Maryland achieved back-to-back eight-win seasons, showcasing Locksley’s ability to build a successful program.
Before taking over as Maryland’s head coach, Locksley served as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2012 to 2015. During that time, he also served as the interim head coach for the final six games of the 2015 season. Locksley’s experience extends beyond Maryland, with stints at Alabama, New Mexico, Illinois, Florida, Army, Pacific, and Towson. His offensive-minded coaching style could bring a fresh approach to the Jets’ offense, which has struggled in recent seasons.
Mike Greenberg Interviewed for GM Opening
In addition to head coach interviews, the Jets are also exploring candidates for their general manager position. On Friday, they spoke with Mike Greenberg, the assistant general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Greenberg has been with the Buccaneers since the 2023 season, but his career in football began in 2010 as a player personnel assistant for Tampa Bay. Over the years, Greenberg climbed the ranks, holding roles such as vice president of football administration and ultimately assistant general manager.
Greenberg is the eighth known candidate to interview for the Jets’ GM position, joining a competitive pool of candidates that includes Ray Farmer (Rams), Mike Borgonzi (Chiefs), Alec Halaby (Eagles), Jim Nagy (Senior Bowl), Thomas Dimitroff (former Falcons GM), Jon Robinson (former Titans GM), and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick.
Next Steps for the Jets
With several high-profile candidates under consideration for both the head coach and GM positions, the Jets are taking their time to make a thoughtful decision. The organization’s leadership is focused on finding individuals who can address both the team’s immediate needs and its long-term success. Whether it’s a seasoned NFL coach like Spagnuolo or a rising star like Locksley, the Jets are aiming to make the right choice to guide the team into a new era.
The Jets’ search for both a head coach and general manager is far from over, but the team is making significant progress. As interviews continue and more candidates emerge, the decision on who will lead the Jets into the future remains one of the most important in recent team history. The right leadership could be the key to unlocking the Jets’ potential and ending their long-standing playoff drought.
The New York Jets are actively pursuing their next head coach and general manager, with Steve Spagnuolo and Mike Locksley adding their names to the list of candidates. As the Jets’ search intensifies, they are focused on finding the right combination of experience, expertise, and leadership to guide the team back to playoff contention. With key interviews already underway, the decision-making process is in full swing, and the future of the franchise is on the line.
