Dan Campbell promoting Kelvin Sheppard to Detroit Lions defensive coordinator

The Detroit Lions have a new defensive coordinator, and they didn’t have to go far to find him.

The Lions are promoting linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator.

Sheppard, 37, joined Dan Campbell’s initial Lions staff as outside linebackers coach in 2021 and has overseen the entire unit the past three seasons.

A former Lions player, he was considered the favorite for the job after Aaron Glenn left to become head coach of the New York Jets this week.

The Lions also interviewed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers coach Larry Foote on Friday for the job.

Glenn said in December he was mentoring Sheppard to one day run a defense of his own.

"And I think he’s damn near close if not ready to do that,” Glenn said. “And he’s a damn good coach.”

Known for his fiery demeanor and honest approach with players, Sheppard oversaw the growth of Jack Campbell into an every-down player this season and helped Alex Anzalone play the best football of his career in his four seasons with the Lions.

Sheppard said in December he “absolutely” felt ready to be a defensive coordinator.

“I’m very appreciative of the way that Dan, Brad (Holmes), AG has structured this thing to kind of put you in leadership roles within your room," Sheppard said. "As many times as AG allows me to speak up in front of the defense and things like that, they don't have to do those things.

“I have friends that coach in other buildings and I know that they're not afforded those opportunities, so I don't take them lightly. I mean every day I step foot in this place, it's an unbelievable opportunity to grow as a person, as a player, being able to watch how Dan operates."

Sheppard played parts of eight NFL seasons with six different teams, including seven games with the Lions in 2018.

He continues the trend of coordinator hires under Campbell who Campbell also spent time with before coming to Detroit.

Sheppard played on the Miami Dolphins in 2014-15 when Campbell was tight ends coach and later interim head coach.

Glenn worked with Campbell with the New Orleans Saints before coming to Detroit, and Campbell had previous histories with both of his offensive coordinators, Ben Johnson with the Dolphins and Anthony Lynn with the Dallas Cowboys, when Campbell was a player and Lynn was an assistant.

The Lions have lost five assistant coaches to other jobs since their ended last week with a playoff loss to the Washington Commanders.

Glenn and Johnson (to the Chicago Bears) took head coach jobs, defensive line coach Terrell Williams is the new defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots and Johnson hired receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett to his staff in Chicago.

The Lions also are expected to stay in-house for their offensive coordinator, with pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery and quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell among the candidates for the job.

On Sheppard, Jack Campbell said in December he was “a great coach” and motivator.

“I’m never going to be like head coach of all people so I don’t know what to look for but he shows up, works hard, holds people to standards and I feel like that’s all you can really ask for so I mean he’s just done a fantastic job," Campbell said. "I hope he stays my linebacker coach for as long as I’m playing, but if not congratulations to him."