Kelvin Sheppard’s performance in his first season as defensive coordinator has been mixed among Detroit Lions fans. His defensive play-calling for the Lions this season, however, has gained the attention of the Miami Dolphins, following the firing of coach Mike McDaniel, who finished the 2025 season with a 7-10 overall record and third place in the AFC East.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, the Dolphins have requested to speak with Sheppard for their vacant head coach job. This would be Sheppard's first NFL head coaching interview if the request is accepted.
What potential loss Of Sheppard would mean for Lions
While some Lions fans haven’t been satisfied with Sheppard in his first season as defensive coordinator, losing him to the head coach position would be a big loss for the Lions. Detroit lost both of its coordinators to NFL coaching positions last season, with Aaron Glenn (defensive) and Ben Johnson (offensive) being hired by the Chicago Bears.
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Glenn struggled in his first season as coach for the Jets, as New York finished tied for the worst record in the league at 3-14. Johnson, however, much to the disgust of Lions fans, has the Bears rolling, as Chicago recently advanced to the NFC Divisional Round, following a thrilling 18-point second-half comeback against the Green Bay Packers.
If Sheppard were to leave for Miami, it would be the second straight season that coach Dan Campbell and the Lions would have to fill both coordinator positions. The Lions are currently in the hunt for a new offensive coordinator after firing John Morton.
Sheppard taking the head coach position seems unlikely, given that he’s only held a top coordinator position for one season. Sheppard may need a few more seasons of proving himself with the Lions to land a major NFL coaching gig.
Sheppard’s departure would open the doors for Campbell to add a defensive coordinator from outside the Lions organization, something that Detroit didn’t choose to do after Glenn left for the Jets.
The Lions missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record on the season. In several of their losses, their defense was inconsistent, a reason some fans aren’t sold on Sheppard just yet.