The New York Jets have officially turned the page on another miserable season and are now focused on 2026. The Jets finished 3-14 in Aaron Glenn’s first year as head coach that was marked by some all-time bad play by the defense.
While teams have already started interviewing candidates for head coach and other have spoken to coaches about their vacant coordinator positions, there was a deafening silence out of Florham Park that made Jets fans very nervous. Frustration started to settle in on social media as the team had not leaked any interview requests for certain coaches and none of the current coaches on Glenn’s staff had been fired.
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Until Friday.
The Jets announced they have completed their first round of interviews with eight candidates for defensive coordinator to replace Steve Wilks, who was fired towards the end of the regular season. Chris Harris, who replaced Wilks, was one of the interviews but he’s not expected to be offered the job.
Here is a breakdown of the candidates who interviewed with the team this week:
Wink Martindale
Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale watches a play against Ohio State during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
Martindale brings plenty of experience as a defensive coordinator, working under John Harbaugh in Baltimore as well as with the Giants under Brian Daboll. He calls a very aggressive defense, which is something Glenn is looking for from a unit that ranked 31st in sacks and did not intercept a pass all season. Martindale was recently the defensive coordinator at Michigan under Sherrone Moore, who was fired after reports of an inappropriate relationship with a female staff member.
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Jim Leonhard
Wisconsin head coach Jim Leonhard, center, is shown during the first quarter of their game Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
Jets fans would probably be excited the most if Leonhard joined Glenn’s coaching staff. He was a fan favorite among Jets nation during the Rex Ryan days and played for the Browns when Glenn was an assistant coach in Cleveland. He’s currently the defensive passing game coordinator and Assistant Head Coach in Denver and has played a major role in turning the Broncos defense into one of the best in the league. He’s never called plays in his career and Glenn’s relationship with Payton could give him the advantage in recruiting Leonhard back to Gang Green. However, there are also reports that he is the favorite to be John Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator with the Giants.
Mathieu Araujo
Aug 3, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, US; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet on the field during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Araujo has spent the past four seasons with the Miami Dolphins and is currently the team’s cornerbacks coach. Miami’s defense took a step back last season due to some key injuries, but the secondary still managed six interceptions on the season, six more than anyone on the Jets roster. The Dolphins defense has been one of the toughest units over the past three seasons, ranking in the Top 10 in total yards allowed in 2023 & 2024.
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Ephraim Banda
Dec 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns Safeties coach Ephraim Banda reacts after a play during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Banda was the Safeties coach for the Cleveland Browns under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz over the past two years. The Browns were third best against the pass this year allowing an average of 167.2 yards per game. Grant Delpit has become one of the top safeties in the league under Banda’s tutelage and had a career high 108 tackles in 2024. Cleveland’s secondary accounted for six of the team’s 11 interceptions this year.
DeMarcus Covington
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Covington is the youngest coach to be interviewed so far at 36 years old. He is currently the Packers defensive line coach / run game coordinator but his experience in the AFC East is what stands out, spending eight years with the Patriots, including one as defensive coordinator in 2024.
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Daronte Jones
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jones was reportedly the first coach the Jets wanted to speak to about the position, so it’s possible he may have the inside track. He’s been with the Vikings for five years as the team’s defensive backs coach as well as the passing game coordinator for the last three seasons. Minnesota’s defense finished second against the pass last season and had 21 takeaways, tied for 10th best in the league. If the Jets view Jones as their top choice, they should act quick as he could be a candidate for a defensive coordinator job with Brian Flores should he land a head coaching position.
Jim O’Neil
Detroit Lions safeties coach Jim O’Neil watches practice during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
O’Neil has plenty of experience working for Glenn while the two were in Detroit. He served initially as a defensive assistant but then added coaching safeties to his resume for the past two years. O’Neil has played a role in the development of Kirby Joseph and Brian Branch, two of the top safeties in the league for the Lions. He has plenty of defensive coordinator experience, but his most recent run in the NFL as DC was with the 49ers back in 2016. O’Neil is also a former Jets coach under Rex Ryan, serving as the team’s quality control coach and assistant defensive backs coach from 2009-2012.
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More interviews could be lined up next week depending on the outcomes of the second round of the playoffs taking place this weekend. Chicago’s defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Al Harris is another name being rumored as a candidate for the position. The Jets would like to hire their new defensive coordinator so he can have a say in any coaches currently on Glenn’s staff that should be replaced.
For now, Jets fans, breathe a sigh of relief. The team has started doing their due diligence in hopefully fixing the issues that plagued them this past season.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: New York Jets announce 8 interviews for defensive coordinator