Lions stay-in house with easy move to make Kelvin Sheppard defensive coordinator

Some times the most obvious solution is the best one, and the Detroit Lions have nailed it with their ideal replacement for Aaron Glenn.
ByBrad Berreman|
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Going back a little while, when/if Aaron Glenn left for a head coaching job, Kelvin Sheppard was the easy favorite to be the next Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator. Glenn acknowledged grooming him for the role late this season, and Sheppard made it clear he was ready for the opportunity whenever it came.

"Yes. I would be lying to you saying no, Sheppard said in December, when asked directly if he was ready to be a defensive coordinator. "Absolutely, and that’s what happens here. It’s not just the players within in the building, but it’s the coaches as well. I’m very appreciative of the way Dan, Brad and A.G. have structured this thing to put you in leadership roles within your own right, within your room. As many times as A.G. allows me to speak in front of the entire defense, they don’t have to do those things," Sheppard continued. "I have friends that coach in other buildings, and I know they are not afforded those opportunities, so I don’t take them lightly."

Lions head coach Dan Campbell interviewed at least one outside candidate to replace Glenn, but the search has landed where it was always meant to-with Campbell's professed idea of maintaining as much continuity as possible.

As reported by Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network on Saturday afternoon, and subsequently confirmed by Lions beat reporters, the Lions are promoting Sheppard from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator.

Lions make easy decision to promote Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator

Sheppard spent the final season of his eight-year NFL playing career (2018) with the Lions. He came back to Detroit on Campbell's original staff in 2021 as outside linebackers coach, and he moved to linebackers coach in 2022. Being young (37 years old) and not too far-removed from his playing days, he clearly connects with players while also demanding their respect and developing them. The Lions' defensive scheme under Glenn demanded a lot from the linebackers, and the group has become a strength over Sheppard's time as the position coach.

It's fair to assume Sheppard was in the mix for other defensive coordinator opportunities as new coaching staffs are being formed around the league, and for a time it seemed possible he could follow Glenn to the New York Jets to be his defensive coordinator.

But Sheppard was always going to have to turn down an offer to stay with the Lions as Glenn's replacement. After a week where Campbell had his coaching staff gutted, Sheppard staying is not a surprise and the decision to promote him (as long as it worked out) was as automatic as it gets.

Update: According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, Shaun Dion Hamilton will be promoted from assistant linebackers coach to replace Sheppard as the Lions' linebackers coach.

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