Source: Lions promote LBs coach Sheppard to DC

DETROIT — The Lions didn’t have to look far to find their new defensive coordinator.

Detroit has promoted former linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to replace Aaron Glenn in the vacant coaching role, a source confirmed to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

NFL.com was the first to report.

After a record-breaking, 15-win season in Detroit, both Glenn and former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson accepted head coaching positions with the New York Jets and Chicago Bears.

Sheppard joined the Lions’ staff at the beginning of head coach Dan Campbell’s Detroit tenure in 2021, originally hired to coach the outside linebackers. For the past three seasons he has coached the entire linebackers group with a knack for developing young talent.

The 37-year-old spent eight seasons in the NFL from 2011-18 with Buffalo, Indiana, Miami, the New York Giants and Lions. He was a third round pick, selected 68th overall, in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Bills.

After losing in the NFC Divisional Round to Washington as the No. 1 seed, Campbell said he would evaluate both internal and outside candidates to help fill the coaching vacancies before choosing Sheppard as his new defensive coordinator.

“I think we’ve got guys on staff that I think are more than qualified and would be outstanding in those roles, but that does not mean that I’m not looking outside either,” Campbell said on Jan. 20. “So, I want what I believe is going to be as close to what we have been as possible, and we don’t lose what we’re about and our identity, and like what you just asked, we’re going to stay true to who we are, and if you’re somebody that doesn’t feel comfortable with that, then no, I don’t – this isn’t the job for you.”