THE Detroit Lions got a new defensive coordinator, and they didn’t have to go far to find him.
THE Lions promote linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator.
Sheppard, 37, joined Dan Campbell’s original Lions staff as outside linebackers coach in 2021 and has overseen the entire unit for the past three seasons.
A former Lions player, he was considered the favorite for the job after Aaron Glenn left to become head coach of the New York Jets this week.
The Lions also interviewed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers coach Larry Foote for the job on Friday.
Glenn said in December that he was mentoring Sheppard so he could one day run his own defense.
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“And I think he’s almost close if he’s not ready to do that,” Glenn said. “And he’s a damn good coach.”
Known for his fiery attitude and honest approach with players, Sheppard oversaw Jack Campbell’s growth into a permanent player this season and helped Alex Anzalone play the best football of his career during his four seasons with the Lions.
Sheppard said in December that he “absolutely” feels ready to become defensive coordinator.
“I really appreciate the way Dan, Brad (Holmes), AG has structured this thing to kind of put you in leadership roles within your room,” Sheppard said. “As many times as AG allows me to speak in front of the defense and things like that, they don’t have to do those things.
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“I have friends who coach in other buildings and I know they don’t have those opportunities, so I don’t take them lightly. I mean, every day that I step foot in this place, it’s an incredible opportunity to grow as a person, as a player, to be able to watch how Dan operates.”
Sheppard played eight seasons in the NFL with six different teams, including seven games with the Lions in 2018.
He continues the trend of hiring coordinators under Campbell who Campbell also spent time with before coming to Detroit.
Sheppard played with the Miami Dolphins in 2014-15, when Campbell was tight ends coach and then interim head coach.
Glenn worked with Campbell with the New Orleans Saints before coming to Detroit, and Campbell had a history with both of his offensive coordinators, Ben Johnson with the Dolphins and Anthony Lynn with the Dallas Cowboys, when Campbell was a player and Lynn was an assistant.
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The Lions have lost five assistant coaches to other jobs since their tenure ended last week with a playoff loss to the Washington Commanders.
Glenn and Johnson (from the Chicago Bears) took the head coaching job, defensive line coach Terrell Williams is the new defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots and Johnson hired wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and assistant quarterbacks coach JT Barrett for his team in Chicago.
The Lions are also expected to stay in-house for their offensive coordinator, with passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrandassistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery and quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell among candidates for the position.
Of Sheppard, Jack Campbell said in December that he was “a great coach” and a motivator.
“I’ll never be like everyone’s head coach, so I don’t know what to look for, but he shows up, works hard, holds people to standards and I feel like that’s anything you can really ask for, so I mean he did a fantastic job,” Campbell said. “I hope he stays my linebacker coach as long as I play, but if not, kudos to him.”
This article was originally published on Detroit Free Press: Kelvin Sheppard will become defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions
