Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard is addressing speculation surrounding his recent head coaching interview with the Miami Dolphins, and he’s making one thing clear: he believes the opportunity was very real.
Sheppard interviewed for Miami’s head coach opening back in January, a process that quickly became controversial. The Dolphins announced interviews with Sheppard and Patrick Graham, both minority candidates, on the same day they revealed Jeff Hafley as their new head coach. For some observers, the timing raised concerns that the interviews were conducted solely to satisfy the NFL’s Rooney Rule.
Sheppard, however, strongly rejected that narrative.
Weeks of Communication Before the Interview
According to the Lions defensive coordinator, his involvement with Miami’s search didn’t begin or end with a single interview.
“Full disclosure, I was in communication with the Dolphins for about two weeks,” Sheppard said via Pride of Detroit. “I don’t know how it typically goes, but I know after the interview, I was contacted by three people from that front office, and I’m not going to disclose the things that I was told, but I think that’s just about as real as it can get.”
Sheppard added that feedback he received afterward only reinforced his belief that he was a serious candidate.
“And when Hafley calls somebody on my staff and says, ‘Those people were about to hire Kelvin,’ I mean, I don’t know why people would make this stuff up.”
While Sheppard stopped short of claiming he was definitively the choice, his comments suggest the process went far beyond a procedural interview.
Taking Growth From the Experience
Even though Miami ultimately went in another direction, Sheppard emphasized that the experience itself was meaningful, regardless of outside perception.
“Real or not, I got the opportunity to do it,” Sheppard said. “Real or fake, I went through the process and I learned a lot and I grew from it, so that’s what I’m taking from it.”
For a coach still early in his coordinator tenure, the chance to prepare for, participate in, and reflect on a head coaching interview represents a significant step in his professional development.
What This Means for Detroit
From the Lions’ perspective, Sheppard’s comments underscore his growing reputation across the league. Under Dan Campbell, Detroit has become a launching point for coaching candidates, and Sheppard’s defensive leadership has not gone unnoticed.
While Lions fans may be relieved to see him remain in Detroit, for now, the interview itself signals something important: Kelvin Sheppard is firmly on the NFL’s head coaching radar.
And based on how close this opportunity may have been, it’s unlikely to be his last.
