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Lions Promote Kelvin Sheppard to Defensive Coordinator

6/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Dan Campbell promoted Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator for his second season.
Campbell first hired Sheppard as an assistant in 2021 and promoted him to coordinator in 2025.
Sheppard, a former NFL linebacker and Lions linebackers coach, now oversees all 11 defensive positions.
After the Lions lost coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson to head-coaching jobs a year earlier, Campbell said Sheppard is comfortable and has a clearer defensive vision.

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Story summary

Dan Campbell promoted Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator for his second season.
Campbell first hired Sheppard as an assistant in 2021 and promoted him to coordinator in 2025.
Sheppard, a former NFL linebacker and Lions linebackers coach, now oversees all 11 defensive positions.
After the Lions lost coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson to head-coaching jobs a year earlier, Campbell said Sheppard is comfortable and has a clearer defensive vision.