After a whirlwind offseason that saw Aaron Glenn overhaul much of his coaching staff, the New York Jets have officially finalized their defensive hires - and there’s a lot to unpack. With the offensive side of the ball already squared away earlier this week, the Jets announced four new additions to the defensive coaching room on Thursday morning. It’s a group that brings a mix of NFL experience, fresh perspective, and, most importantly, a clear mandate: fix a defense that underperformed in 2025.
Let’s break down the new faces and what they bring to the table.
Ben Bolling: From Houston’s Heat to New York’s Rebuild
The most eye-catching hire here is Ben Bolling, who steps in as the new linebackers coach. He comes over from DeMeco Ryans’ staff in Houston, where he served as assistant linebackers coach - and if there’s one thing Ryans’ Texans have done well, it’s develop physical, fast, and smart linebackers. Bolling now gets a full position room to himself in New York, and it’s a unit that desperately needs a reset.
Last season, the Jets’ linebackers struggled to find consistency. Jamien Sherwood took a step back, and the tension between him and Quincy Williams didn’t help matters.
Bolling’s challenge isn’t just technical - it’s cultural. He’ll be tasked with restoring chemistry and elevating the group’s play, and if he can bring even a fraction of Houston’s defensive energy to the Meadowlands, the Jets might finally start getting the production they’ve been missing from the second level.
Ryan Slowik: A Familiar Face with a Turnover Mindset
Ryan Slowik returns to New York in a new role, this time as safeties coach. He’s no stranger to the organization, having worked under Todd Bowles during his stint as Jets head coach. But Slowik’s most recent work in Miami might be what excites the Jets the most.
In 2025, Slowik served as the Dolphins’ defensive backs coach and passing game specialist - and while Miami didn’t lead the league in takeaways, they did rack up nine interceptions. That’s nine more than the Jets managed last season. For a defense that couldn’t buy a turnover, Slowik’s arrival could be a game-changer.
He’s also got a history with Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker, which should help with continuity and communication. The hope is that Slowik’s experience - including his time coaching outside linebackers and serving as a senior defensive assistant - will translate into a more opportunistic, ball-hawking secondary.
Ronald Booker: A Product of Gannon’s Defensive Tree
Ronald Booker joins the Jets after five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, where he wore multiple hats as a defensive assistant and quality control coach. While Arizona’s record under Jonathan Gannon didn’t exactly set the league on fire, Gannon’s defensive philosophy and structure have earned respect across the NFL. Booker was part of that brain trust, and the Jets are betting that he brings some of that schematic discipline with him.
Booker’s role in New York will be as a defensive specialist, giving the staff another set of eyes on game-planning, film breakdown, and positional development. He’s not a headline grabber, but these are the kinds of hires that often make a quiet but critical difference in how a defense prepares week to week.
Collin Bauer: From UFL to NFL, and Ready to Prove It
Collin Bauer is the wild card of the group - and maybe the most intriguing. After spending the last three seasons with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL, Bauer makes the leap to the NFL as a defensive specialist. His trajectory in the UFL was impressive: from defensive line coach in 2023 to defensive coordinator (while still coaching the DL) in 2024 and 2025.
That kind of dual responsibility speaks to his football IQ and leadership potential. The Jets clearly saw something they liked, and now Bauer gets his shot on the big stage.
He’ll bring a fresh voice and a different perspective, forged in a league where coaches often have to do more with less. That resourcefulness could prove valuable as the Jets look to maximize talent across their depth chart.
What It All Means for the Jets
With the defensive staff now set, Aaron Glenn can finally turn his full attention to the roster - and there’s plenty of work to do there. But getting the right coaching infrastructure in place is step one, and this group feels like a step in the right direction.
The 2025 defense lacked identity. It struggled to generate turnovers, couldn’t get consistent play from the linebackers, and failed to live up to its potential in key moments. The new hires - especially Bolling and Slowik - are clearly aimed at addressing those specific issues.
Now, it’s about cohesion. Can this staff come together quickly and elevate a unit that’s been stuck in neutral? If they can, the Jets might just be able to field a competitive defense in 2026 - and give their fans something to believe in again.