By Blessing 
Kelvin Sheppard’s coaching journey with the Detroit Lions has been swift and impressive. After spending his final season as a player with the team in 2018, he returned as part of Dan Campbell’s initial coaching staff in 2021. Starting as the outside linebackers coach, Sheppard took over the entire linebacking unit by 2022 and continued to gain additional responsibilities. Now, he has officially stepped into the role of defensive coordinator following Aaron Glenn’s departure for the New York Jets’ head coaching position.
Glenn had openly acknowledged grooming Sheppard for the position, and Sheppard made it clear he was ready when the opportunity arrived. Lions head coach Dan Campbell has even predicted that Sheppard will one day become a head coach.
Sheppard’s rise comes as no surprise to those who have worked with him, including Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who coached Sheppard during his time with the New York Giants in 2016 and 2017. Spagnuolo, one of the most respected defensive minds in the NFL with four Super Bowl wins under his belt, gave Sheppard a ringing endorsement during a recent media session.
“I love Kelvin Sheppard,” Spagnuolo said passionately, grabbing Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett’s arm as he spoke. “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.”
Spagnuolo, who is preparing to coach in his seventh Super Bowl, continued to praise Sheppard’s football intelligence and leadership skills. “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. I knew he’d always be a coach and a really good one.”
The veteran coordinator revealed that he had even encouraged Sheppard to consider coaching during his playing career. “I remember saying to him one time, ‘You ought to think about coaching,’ cause I could see that in him,” Spagnuolo recalled. “And he’ll be a success. He’s done a great job in Detroit.”
Such high praise from a seasoned and accomplished defensive mind like Spagnuolo speaks volumes about Sheppard’s potential. As he steps into his new role with the Lions, it’s clear that the organization has full confidence in his ability to lead their defense—and perhaps, one day, an entire team as head coach.