New Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard stepped into a new role after four seasons as the linebackers coach. Sheppard has big shoes to fill after the departure of former defensive coordinator to the head coaching position of the New York Jets.
While Sheppard has expectations to lead the Lions' defense after a 2024 season that was filled with injuries, Detroit will have a new leader as its linebackers coach. Shaun Dion Hamilton stepped up as the new linebackers coach for the Lions to replace Sheppard in that room.
Sheppard praises Shaun Dion Hamilton as new LB's coach
Before being named linebackers coach, Hamilton spent two seasons as the assistant linebackers coach and was a defensive assistant for the Lions in 2022. Sheppard coached Hamilton when he played his last NFL season for the Lions in 2021, and had high praise for him taking over his former coaching position this week during training camp.
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"He is a freaking genius," said Sheppard. "When I coached him as a player, he knew every spot, he reminds me of myself, and I say that all the time. It's like I'm watching myself all over again. When I coached him as a player, I was like you should coach."
"He is a freaking genius"
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 24, 2025
-Kelvin Sheppard on LB Coach Shaun Dion Hamilton pic.twitter.com/nGUwYiK2IZ
As a player, Hamilton was drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the then-Washington Redskins. Hamilton played three seasons with Washington before being picked up off waivers by the Lions, where his coaching career took off.
Hamilton has the respect of the Lions linebacker room
Hamilton has fit into the position as the new linebackers coach of the Lions so far. According to Sheppard, Hamilton has gained respect from the linebacker room.
"There's a level of respect there, and that's the way he works, that's the way he grinds," said Sheppard. "The guys have seen him in the locker room as a peer, and now they see him as an authoritative figure. He's tremendous. I'm looking forward to the growth, just like the players. There's going to be growing pains with myself, there's going to be growing pains with Ham, but there's no one else I'd rather have as my linebackers coach.
Hamilton will lead a Lions linebackers room that features a starting group of Derrick Barnes, Alex Anzalone, and Jack Campbell. This is one of the most formidable LB groups in the NFL, so Hamilton should have a fun time looking to incorporate them all into his defensive scheming.