Last week, reports emerged that the Miami Dolphins requested to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard for their vacant head coaching job. Now that interview has been scheduled. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Sheppard will interview in-person for the Dolphins head coaching gig on Monday.
First off, it’s important to not read too much into the fact that it’s an in-person interview. While in some cases that may indicate an increased level of interest, it’s worth noting that Sheppard has family in southern Florida and regularly spends his offseasons there. He also played for the Dolphins from 2014-15 in the prime of his career.
That said, this is obviously a significant opportunity for Sheppard, who only began his coaching career in 2020 as a director of player development for LSU. Since then, he’s been with the Lions organization, starting as outside linebackers coach (2021), then was promoted to linebackers coach (2022-24) before taking over for Aaron Glenn as the defensive coordinator last season. While the defense did take a step back this year under Sheppard, he has been largely praised by his players for his leadership and communication qualities, and Dan Campbell has complimented his ability to adjust and learn on the fly.
“I think with any first-time coordinator, first-time coach, you go through a lot,” Campbell said in December. “You learn along the way. You make adjustments. You find things that you believe in. You throw other things to the side that don’t fit you. You find ways to adjust, and it’s just part of the process. I think Shep’s done a damn good job. There’s always going to be things that you learn from this job, but I like Shep.”
Sheppard has a lot of competition for the Dolphins job, including—but not limited to—Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley (who is considered the favorite), 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
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