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Dolphins Ask Permission to Interview Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Mike Oliva | Last updated Jan 12, 2026 7:36 PM ET

Dolphins Ask Permission to Interview Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard

NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reports that the Miami Dolphins have asked the Detroit Lions for permission to interview their defensive coordinator, Kelvin Sheppard, for their open head coaching position.

Sheppard spent two seasons in Miami as their linebacker from 2014-2015.

Sheppard has only been a coach since 2021 and has spent his entire time with the Detroit Lions.

He was an outside linebackers coach, then a linebackers coach, and this was his first season as their defensive coordinator.

Sources: The #Dolphins have requested to interview #Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard for their open HC position.

Beloved by his players, Sheppard played for the Dolphins in 2014 and 2015 and just completed his first season as Detroit DC. pic.twitter.com/VUeMPnAz80

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 12, 2026

It is an interesting request because Sheppard doesn’t have the experience typically required to be a head coach, as he has only been an assistant since 2021.

This is the 3rd defensive coordinator Miami has asked to interview who has no head coaching experience. Chris Shula and Jeff Hafley were the other two.

Miami also asked to interview Robert Saleh, who is the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, but he was the head coach of the NY Jets previously and has a stronger resume for the head coaching position.

It is also interesting because there is no known connection between Sheppard and the new Miami Dolphins general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan.

Sheppard is viewed as an up-and-coming coach, but I believe this may be a little too soon for him to make the jump to NFL head coach.

There are no reports of any other teams currently with a head coach opening requesting to speak with Kelvin Sheppard at this time.

The Detroit Lions lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators last season, Aaron Glenn became the coach of the NY Jets and Ben Johnson became coach of the Chicago Bears.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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