Whenever Aaron Glenn left for a head coaching job, Kelvin Sheppard was the clear-cut favorite to replace him as Detroit Lions defensive coordinator. Late this season, Glenn openly acknowledged grooming him for the role and Sheppard was also clear that he was ready whenever the opportunity came.
The opportunity is of course here now. Days after Glenn departed for the New York Jets’ head coaching job, Sheppard was promoted from linebackers coach to replace him.
It has been a quick rise up the coaching ranks for Sheppard. He came back to the Lions, where he spent his final season as a player (2018), on Dan Campbell’s initial staff in 2021. After a years as outside linebackers coach, he took over the entire linebacking unit in 2022 and he has had extra responsibilities put on his plate over time. No less an authority than Campbell thinks Sheppard will be a head coach at some point.
Sheppard spent two of his eight seasons as a player (2016 and 2017) with the New York Giants, starting a total of 17 games. He was actually a midseason signing in 2017, as he was by the Lions the following season.
“I love Kelvin Sheppard,” Spagnuolo said, grabbing the reporter by the arm and looking him convincingly in the eye. “To me, Kelvin Sheppard, if I could make a mini projection, will be a head coach in this league, in my opinion. He was one of the smartest players I had back in New York, and we were fortunate enough to get him.”
Super Bowl defensive coordinator gives huge endorsement to Kelvin Sheppard
Sheppard’s defensive coordinator for his two seasons in New York was Steve Spagnuolo, who is about to coach in his seventh Super Bowl and his sixth as a coordinator. He is the only assistant coach to win four Super Bowls, and he could make it five this weekend.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press recapped a media session Spagnuolo had this week in New Orleans. Birkett said he brought up Sheppard, which prompted a notable reaction from the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator (he apparently grabbed Birkett by the arm, however gently?).
“I love Kelvin Sheppard,” Spagnuolo said. “To me, Kelvin Sheppard, if I could make a mini projection, will be a head coach in this league, in my opinion. He was one of the smartest players I had back in New York, and we were fortunate enough to get him.”
“Really smart,” Spagnuolo said, of Sheppard. “He was a lot like Antonio Pierce I had there in New York earlier, and when Kelvin came there I thought he just kind of galvanized all the guys with his football intelligence and just the way he played the game. And you can see it now as a coach now. I knew he’d always be a coach and a really good one.”
“I remember saying to him one time, ‘You ought to think about coaching,’ cause I could see that in him,” Spagnuolo said. “And he’ll be a success. He’s done a great job in Detroit.”
Spagnuolo started his coaching career in the early 80’s, and he’s regarded as one of the best defensive minds around. So such a strong endorsement from him is a big deal, and Spagnuolo also seemed genuinely excited to talk about Sheppard when prompted by a Lions’ beat writer.
