Former Tiger Sheppard named new Lions defensive coordinator

Kelvin Sheppard’s ascent through the coaching ranks reached a new height Saturday.

The Detroit Lions announced the former LSU linebacker would be promoted to defensive coordinator replacing Aaron Glenn who was hired by the New York Jets as head coach earlier in the week.

Sheppard finished his eight years as an NFL player with the Lions in 2018 and joined the coaching staff as outside linebackers coach in 2021 following a one-year stint as the director of player development at LSU in 2020.

Sheppard started 30 games at linebacker for LSU and was named a First Team All-SEC selection in 2010.

Detroit won 15 games this season and earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC before being upset in the Divisional Round by Washington.