Lions reportedly name Kelvin Sheppard new defensive coordinator
The Detroit Lions are promoting from within to replace Aaron Glenn as defensive coordinator.
Kelvin Sheppard is moving up from linebackers coach to oversee Dan Campbell’s defense, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garofalo.
The #Lions are promoting LBs coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator, filling the shoes of Aaron Glenn, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
A quick rise for the eight-year NFL veteran, Sheppard earns a DC job in only his third season under Dan Campbell. pic.twitter.com/cM3m9ebqEc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2025
Campbell made it clear after the season that he believed Glenn and former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be replaced from the current staff. Glenn became the head coach of the New York Jets this week, while Johnson took the same position with the Chicago Bears.
“That’s my job, is to replenish and find the next man up,” Campbell told reporters on Monday. “Is it a loss? Absolutely… But yet, man, we move forward, this train rolls on and I’ll find the next best guys for us.”
While outside candidates such as former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen may have been considered, Sheppard was viewed as the favorite to take over the DC role.
“That’s a guy that I’ve been actually mentoring to be in the DC role at some point,” Glenn told the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett in December. “And I think he’s damn near close if not ready to do that. And he’s a damn good coach.
“He’s fiery, everything that you need as a linebacker coach, he’s that,” Glenn added. “And there are certain coaches on the staff that I think have to be bulldogs and he’s one of those coaches at that position, along with D-line, O-line and running back. You have to be a fricking bulldog and he does a good job of that.”
Sheppard, 37, has been with the Lions since 2021, first coaching outside linebackers then overseeing the entire unit for the past three seasons. He began his career in coaching as the director of player development at LSU before joining Detroit’s staff.
As a player, Sheppard earned All-SEC honors at LSU and was part of the Tigers’ 2007 BCS national championship team. Drafted in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, he also played with the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Lions during his eight seasons.
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