Kelvin Sheppard, now the Lions’ defensive coordinator, is stepping into a critical role after years of mentorship under Aaron Glenn and Dan Campbell.
Sheppard, who started his journey in Detroit four years ago, recalls his first meeting with Glenn when he flew in for an interview. The two clicked instantly, bonding over their similar backgrounds and deep love for football. As Sheppard shared with Fox 2 Detroit, Glenn told him, “I don’t care what he’s coaching but he’s going to be on my staff,” after just five hours of conversation.
Now, Sheppard is transitioning into the defensive coordinator role, following Glenn’s success in building a top-10 scoring defense over the past few seasons. Reflecting on his rise, Sheppard credits both Glenn and Campbell for their unwavering support. In fact, Campbell, who coached Sheppard in 2014 with the Dolphins, was one of the first to encourage him to consider coaching. “He saw it in me as a player,” Sheppard noted. The trust Campbell placed in Sheppard led him to coach outside linebackers in his first year with the Lions despite limited coaching experience.
Sheppard’s coaching journey has been nothing short of an evolution. After spending time coaching defensive ends like Romeo Okwara and Trey Flowers, he shifted to linebackers in 2022. Encouraged to expand his role, Sheppard took on more responsibility, including speaking in front of the entire team. When asked about receiving his first coordinator job, Sheppard said, “It means everything to me. It’s the reason I chose to stay here over other opportunities.”
Turning his attention to the defense, Sheppard faces the task of rebuilding after a strong 2024 season that ended with a playoff loss. Injuries derailed the defense down the stretch, but Sheppard’s priority is getting the defense back on track with a focus on every player, from Alim McNeill to Kerby Joseph. He shared, “Every time I’m thinking about something now, it has to encompass all 11.”
In a candid moment, Sheppard joked that his biggest challenge will be resisting the urge to focus solely on his linebackers, with Campbell playfully warning him, “I might not even get you any linebackers to look at because I know you’re gonna spend all your time with them.”
As the Lions’ defense moves forward, pass rushing will be a key area of improvement. Despite Aidan Hutchinson’s dominant play before his injury, the Lions finished 23rd in sacks last season. “Everything you do on defense starts with the front,” Sheppard said. “It starts in the trenches… if you really watch these games, it’s a lot of people going back to the roots of football.”
For Sheppard, building a cohesive, relentless unit is key. “There’s no ‘me,’ there’s no ‘I’ in this,” he emphasized, highlighting that unity will be the foundation of his defense. “No role is bigger than the other. This is one unit.”
When asked about the qualities he values in his players, Sheppard emphasized the importance of effort and culture. “Absolutely relentless effort, non-negotiable,” he stated. “The coaches aren’t coaching effort… you will stand out if your effort lacks.”
Looking ahead, Sheppard is excited about young players like Terrion Arnold and Mekhi Wingo, who he believes are poised for significant growth. He pointed to Kerby Joseph’s development as an example of the progress young players can make under the right coaching. “It’s not disrespectful if a player ever asks, ‘Why, coach?’ He wants understanding,” Sheppard said, stressing the importance of nurturing that growth.
This new chapter for Sheppard and the Lions signals a fresh energy on defense, with an emphasis on toughness, unity, and relentless effort. It’s clear that under his leadership, the Lions are committed to building something special.
