The Washington Commanders have officially announced the addition of John Glenn to their coaching staff as the assistant special teams coach. This strategic hire finalizes the Commanders’ coaching lineup for the 2024 NFL season, bringing in a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the league.
John Glenn arrives in Washington after a successful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, where he most recently served as the linebackers coach from 2018 to 2023. His twelve consecutive seasons with the Seahawks organization demonstrate his commitment and expertise within a high-performing NFL environment. Before his significant time in Seattle, Glenn honed his coaching skills at the University of Washington as a quality control coach (2010-2011) and at North Carolina Wesleyan College as a linebackers coach (2006-2008), building a solid foundation for his NFL career.
During his time with the Seahawks, John Glenn established a strong reputation for developing linebacker talent. In the 2023 season, the Seattle linebacking corps was a standout element of their defense, largely thanks to Glenn’s guidance. Bobby Wagner, a key player under Glenn’s mentorship, led the entire NFL with an impressive 183 tackles. This achievement marked Wagner’s 12th consecutive season with over 100 tackles, placing him among only three players in NFL history to reach this remarkable milestone. Furthermore, Glenn played a crucial role in the successful transition of Jordyn Brooks from Will linebacker to middle linebacker in the previous season. Brooks excelled in this new role, leading the NFC and ranking fifth in the NFL with 161 tackles, the fourth-highest single-season total in Seahawks history.
Alt text: Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks linebacker, in action during an NFL game.
The 2021 season further highlighted Glenn’s impact on the Seahawks’ linebackers. Jordyn Brooks enjoyed a breakout year, ranking second in the NFL with a franchise-record 183 tackles. Simultaneously, Bobby Wagner continued his exceptional performance, recording 170 tackles, the second-most in franchise history, and earning his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Wagner’s consistent excellence was further recognized with a second-team All-Pro honor from the Associated Press, making him the player with the most All-Pro nominations in Seahawks history.
Prior seasons under John Glenn’s coaching also saw remarkable achievements. In 2020, Bobby Wagner was voted to the Pro Bowl for the seventh time and named to the Associated Press All-Pro first team, his fifth consecutive first-team All-Pro selection and sixth overall. In the preceding year, Wagner recorded the second-most tackles in Seahawks history with 159, while K.J. Wright achieved a career-high of 132 tackles, showcasing the overall strength and effectiveness of the linebacker unit under Glenn’s tutelage.
John Glenn’s journey with the Seattle Seahawks began in 2012, where he undertook various roles, starting as a coaching and special teams assistant. He experienced early success, contributing to the Seahawks’ victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. He then progressed to defensive quality control coach the following season, followed by defensive assistant, before taking on the responsibility of linebackers assistant in 2017, ultimately becoming the linebackers coach. This progression demonstrates his growing expertise and value within the Seahawks organization.
Alt text: Seattle Seahawks team celebrating their Super Bowl XLVIII victory.
Originating from Scranton, Pennsylvania, John Glenn’s football career extends back to his playing days. He was a three-year letterwinner as a linebacker and a starter for East Stroudsburg University’s NCAA playoff teams in 2004 and 2005. He also demonstrated his athletic versatility as a two-year letterwinner in basketball in 2001-02 and 2002-03. Glenn is married to Leigh, and they are parents to three sons: Nate, Luke, and Will.
With his extensive background in coaching and player development, particularly his proven ability to mentor linebackers to achieve peak performance, John Glenn is expected to bring significant expertise and contribute positively to the Washington Commanders’ special teams unit and overall coaching staff. His experience in Seattle, including a Super Bowl victory and consistently high-performing defensive units, positions him as a valuable asset for the Commanders as they look to build a competitive team.
