Kelvin Sheppard enters his fifth season with the Lions and first season as defensive coordinator, after he previously served as the linebackers coach for three seasons. He originally came to Detroit as the outside linebackers coach in 2021.
In 2024, Detroit's defense ranked first in the NFL in third-down efficiency (32.4%) and second in fourth-down efficiency (41.4%). The unit also averaged 20.1 points allowed per game, finishing seventh in the League.
Sheppard guided a linebacker room riddled with injuries in 2024. After LB Alex Anzalone was placed on Reserve/Injured, Sheppard helped lead LB Jack Campbell to become the green dot of the defense. Campbell was one of five linebackers to record 125 tackles, five tackles for loss, five pass defenses, and one forced fumble in the season. Campbell also recorded eight-straight games with at least seven tackles, the longest streak in franchise history since Stephen Boyd in 2000 (13 games).
Since arriving in Detroit, Sheppard has guided eight-year pro LB Alex Anzalone to career seasons in 2022 and 2023. Under Sheppard, Anzalone became just the fourth player in franchise history to record multiple seasons with at least 125 tackles. In 2023, Anzalone also became only the third Lion to post a season with at least 125 tackles and 3.0 sacks. Despite missing six games due to injury, Anzalone finished the 2024 season with 63 tackles and seven tackles for loss. This was the third consecutive season that Anzalone had recorded at least seven tackles for loss, all under Sheppard's tutelage.
Sheppard has overseen the development of multiple rookie linebackers who have been proficient in their first seasons with Detroit. In 2023, Sheppard directed first-round selection Campbell, who recorded the second-most tackles (89) among all rookies. His five tackles for loss tied for sixth-most by a rookie inside linebacker in team history. In 2022, Sheppard also tutored rookie LB Malcolm Rodriguez who produced eight games with at least one tackle for loss, tied for the most among rookies, and led all rookies with 12 tackles for loss or no gain.
In his first season working primarily with outside linebackers and edge rushers, the club's edge rushers combined for 110 tackles in 2021. The number marked the third-most tackles among an NFL team's edge rushers in Sheppard's first season coaching the group. His unit also combined for 22 tackles for loss or no gain, tied for the seventh-most in the NFL among the position group.
In his first season with the Lions, Sheppard also worked closely with DL Charles Harris, previously listed as OLB, a player who joined the team as a 2021 free-agent acquisition. In just one season with Sheppard, Harris notched a career-high 7.5 sacks, earning his way to a contract extension through the 2023 season on March 18, 2022. Harris' 7.5 sacks were the second-most sacks a free agent acquisition has had in his first season in Detroit. His total also tied for the fourth-most sacks a Lions player has had in his first season with the team, while tying for the third-most tackles-for-loss (10) by a Lions linebacker in a single season.
Following his playing career, he joined the LSU football program and served as the team's director of player development under head coach Ed Orgeron in 2020. Sheppard was tasked with helping players with their academic direction, social development, and overall quality of life.
He was originally selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round (68th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of LSU and split eight seasons (2011-18) with the Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions. He appeared in 107 career games (63 starts) and logged 400 total tackles, 3.0 sacks and two interceptions.
Sheppard appeared in 53 games (30 starts) in his career at LSU (2007-10), finishing in the top-10 in school history with 311 tackles. He was an All-SEC selection and team captain as a senior in 2010.
A native of Stone Mountain, Ga., Sheppard has two children; a daughter, Ava, and a son, Miles.
