The Detroit Lions could soon be facing competition to keep one of the fastest-rising young coaches in the NFL.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Miami Dolphins are scheduled to conduct an in-person interview on Monday morning with Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard for their head coaching opening. The meeting is expected to be the first face-to-face step in what could become a serious courtship.
Sheppard’s name has gained steam around the league after a rapid climb through Detroit’s coaching ranks. A former NFL linebacker, Sheppard played eight seasons in the league, including a two-year stint with the Dolphins from 2014 to 2015. That Miami connection could add an extra layer of familiarity and comfort as the Dolphins evaluate their next leader.
After retiring from playing, Sheppard transitioned into coaching and front-office development roles, including serving as LSU’s Director of Player Development in 2020. He joined the Lions’ staff in 2021 as outside linebackers coach, was promoted to linebackers coach in 2022, and in 2025 earned the defensive coordinator job, becoming one of the youngest coordinators in the league.
Under Dan Campbell, Sheppard has developed a reputation as an intense, detail-driven teacher with strong leadership presence — traits that have resonated in Detroit’s culture and now appear to be attracting interest across the NFL.
For the Lions, the news is both a compliment and a potential concern. Sheppard is viewed as a key piece of Detroit’s defensive future, and losing him would mean another significant coordinator change during a Super Bowl window. For Miami, however, the interview signals serious interest in a coach who blends playing experience, rapid development, and familiarity with the organization’s history.
Whether the Dolphins’ interest turns into a formal offer remains to be seen, but Sheppard’s rise from former linebacker to head-coaching candidate has officially reached the national stage.
