Kelvin Sheppard takes over as the Lions’ defensive coordinator for the 2025 season.

Sheppard replaces Aaron Glenn, who left to take the Jets’ head coaching position.

By earning the promotion, Sheppard continues his rise up the Lions coaching staff. He joined the team before the 2021 season and has worked in Detroit ever since.

Sheppard worked as Detroit’s outside linebackers coach in 2021. A year later, the Lions promoted him to linebackers coach.

He held that role for three seasons before being promoted to defensive coordinator.

Prior to his coaching career, Sheppard spent eight seasons as an NFL player.

Sheppard appeared in 107 games for five teams, including 63 starts. He registered only three sacks in 107 games along with 281 solo tackles and 10 quarterback hits.

This season, he’ll aim to retain Detroit’s strong defensive ratings. Last year, the Lions ranked seventh in points allowed, a 16-spot jump from 2023.

Previous Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinators