5 Things to Know About Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Kelvin Sheppard

The job Glenn did to maintain a fairly consistent level of games on the defense over the past year despite all damage to that side of the ball was rather remarkable. When Sheppard hits the Earth that runs in this new role comes April, he has lots of pieces to work with.

His linebacker room will be strong with Anzalone, Campbell and Rodriguez all under contract. We’ll see what Lions choose to do with Barnes to become a free agent.

Detroit’s start four in advance must be disruptive and versatile with Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, DJ Reader and Za’darius Smith all under contract, plus a few key containers that will also come back.

Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Amik Robertson, Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr Jr Free Agency or continue to add young talent to the mixture via the draft.

Sheppard will have the pieces to implement his style with games and vision for this defense in 2025.

Sheppard once considered cutting his dreadlocks and belief that the look could hinder his ability to get a job coaching in the NFL. Campbell urged Sheppard to keep his hairstyle and said it was part of the young coach’s identity. Sheppard never forgot that conversation with Campbell, and it has allowed him to be his authentic self throughout his coaching career.

“I went through it and he’s like ‘you thinking of cutting your what? What? Are you crazy? First of all I love your hair,'” said Sheppard back in 2022. “He’s like, ‘but seriously, Shep if I hire you if someone hires you, they hire you because of you.