Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode: Hour 4: Defending Glenn?
Date: October 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is centered around the mounting criticism of New York Jets rookie head coach Aaron Glenn. Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg break down Glenn’s rocky start, reacting to passionate callers, and debating whether the tough early results are a sign he’s in over his head or simply growing pains for a new head coach. The discussion delves into the specifics of recent controversial decisions, the logic behind Glenn's hiring and contract, and the culture of sports media and fandom in New York.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caller Frustration Over Aaron Glenn’s Decisions (00:43–03:36)

• Bobby from Belmore highlights specific in-game management blunders, such as field goal calculations and end-of-half decisions, suggesting Glenn is "over his head."
• Don and Alan acknowledge Glenn mishandled postgame explanations and the pressure on first-time head coaches.
  • Quote:
    • "It just shows you he's over his head."
      —Bobby (01:38)
  • Hahn’s Take:
    • "When you're the guy that makes the last decision, when you're the guy that has to quickly process, like, what to do... it is not for everyone."
      —Alan Hahn (02:34)
  • Don’s Defense: Glenn’s postgame confusion is part of the learning curve, even if it’s frustrating so early in his tenure.

2. Context for Coaching Mistakes: The Field Goal Decision (03:36–05:00)

• Don contextualizes Glenn’s decision to settle for a certain field goal yardage in London, mentioning unique pregame conditions affecting kicker confidence.
  • Quote:
    • "If your kicker tells you or you saw with your own eyes in the pregame, he's not kicking anything that's over 50, what do you want the coach to do?"
      —Don La Greca (04:28)
• Alan cautions against coaches publicly blaming players for performance, emphasizing the need to maintain locker room unity.

3. The End of the First Half: A Bigger Blunder? (05:00–05:36)

• Multiple hosts agree that mishandling the end of the first half, by not even attempting a play, was far worse than the kicking confusion.
  • Quote:
    • "Sitting on your hands and literally watching the clock run out... That made no sense. At least a Hail Mary."
      —Peter Rosenberg (05:14)
• This incident is used as evidence of Glenn not yet being comfortable as the final decision-maker.

4. Is Don “Defending Glenn”? (08:02–09:06)

• Vinny from Staten Island accuses Don of excessive defense over three days, reflecting the impatience of the fan base.
• Don, Alan, and Peter clarify: stating that Glenn won’t be fired soon is not the same as defending his performance.
  • Quote:
    • "I'm not defending him. It's not been good. I'm just saying I don't believe they're going to fire him."
      —Don La Greca (09:30)
  • They explain that Glenn’s five-year contract reflects a long-term rebuilding plan and lack of appealing coaching candidates.

5. Why Did Glenn Take the Job? The Realities Behind the Hire (09:57–11:23)

• Alan breaks down why Glenn accepted the Jets’ offer; few wanted the difficult job, so Glenn demanded job security and money.
  • Quote:
    • "Nobody wanted the job. Nobody wanted. The only one person wanted it, he didn't get a call and that was Rex Ryan."
      —Alan Hahn (10:09)
• The hosts discuss how Glenn’s contract is more about institutional assurances than a projection of how long the rebuild will take.

6. The Never-Ending New York Sports Pressure Cooker (14:38–16:49)

• Don argues that logic and patience often get drowned out by the volume of “fire the coach” narratives in NYC sports media.
  • Quote:
    • "It's easy to just say he should be fired... it feeds the narrative because again, the sneaky little secret about sports radio is try to find something to go on a limb on. But make sure that limb is thick."
      —Don La Greca (16:04)
  • The perpetual skepticism towards teams like the Jets, Knicks, Mets, and Islanders is described as “safe” but reductive sports radio fodder.

7. Fan Perceptions and Host Response (17:02–18:14)

• Alan observes frustration comes not from what’s said, but from what’s not said—the expectation is hosts loudly call for firings.

  • Quote:
    • "If you're not calling for his job and screaming at the top of your lungs as if he committed a crime, you must be defending him."
      —Alan Hahn (17:22)

• Alan and Don further dissect Glenn’s unique challenge: first head coaching gig at any level, immense scrutiny, and a staff full of first-timers.

8. Leadership Structure and Jets Dysfunction (20:00–21:29)

• A caller and Alan both lament the lack of clear authoritative leadership at the Jets: the owner wants “collective control,” making it hard to establish culture.
  • Quote:
    • "Institutional control is exactly what Woody Johnson doesn't want. He wants collective control... He wants to know that if players aren't happy, I can talk to them."
      —Alan Hahn (20:50)
• The result: inexperience throughout the staff and front office, chaotic decision making.

9. The "Insurance" of Long-Term Contracts & Turnaround Timelines (22:48–23:46)

• Hosts clarify: five-year contract is not a prediction of a five-year rebuild but insurance for Glenn.
  • Quote:
    • "The five years is the insurance that if in a year and a half... it hasn't taken yet. Because look in Detroit, in a year and a half it hadn't took yet."
      —Alan Hahn (22:55)
• Account is given of modern NFL turnarounds, with other teams turning things quickly—in contrast to the Jets’ protracted process.

Notable Quotes

• "When you're the guy that makes the last decision...it is not for everyone."
  — Alan Hahn (02:34)

• "If your kicker tells you...he's not kicking anything over 50, what do you want the coach to do?"
  — Don La Greca (04:28)

• "Sitting on your hands and literally watching the clock run out... That made no sense. At least a Hail Mary."
  — Peter Rosenberg (05:14)

• "I'm not defending him. It's not been good. I'm just saying I don't believe they're going to fire him."
  — Don La Greca (09:30)

• "Nobody wanted the job...that was Rex Ryan."
  — Alan Hahn (10:09)

• "It's easy to just say he should be fired...it feeds the narrative."
  — Don La Greca (16:04)

• "If you're not calling for his job and screaming at the top of your lungs...you must be defending him."
  — Alan Hahn (17:22)

• "Institutional control is exactly what Woody Johnson doesn't want...So you can't bring in somebody here who is the bona fide leader, the final say."
  — Alan Hahn (20:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:43–01:51: Bobby from Belmore’s critique of Glenn’s field goal management and basic math error
• 01:51–03:36: Don and Alan discuss learning curve for first-time head coaches
• 03:36–05:00: Don explains the context of the field goal decision in London
• 05:00–05:36: Panel agrees end-of-half mismanagement far worse than end-of-game decision
• 08:02–09:06: Vinny from Staten Island challenges Don for "defending" Glenn
• 09:57–11:23: Hahn outlines why Glenn accepted the job under tough circumstances
• 14:38–16:49: Don critiques the reflexive “fire the coach” media coverage and fan impatience
• 17:02–18:14: Alan clarifies what constitutes "defending" a coach on air
• 20:00–21:29: Discussion about lack of leadership and Woody Johnson's influence
• 22:48–23:46: Clarification on the five-year contract as "insurance," not a timeline

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• The hosts maintain their signature blend of exasperation, humor, and New York sports realism.
• They push back against the more reactionary fan and caller demands, emphasizing process, logic, and the built-in dysfunctions of Jets management, rather than simply joining in the public outcry.
• Throughout, the hosts deliver sharp commentary on NYC sports media culture, highlighting the tension between rational analysis and the demands of an impatient fanbase.