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Kelvin Sheppard to Interview Monday with Miami

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Mike Oliva | Last updated Jan 18, 2026 11:20 AM ET

Kelvin Sheppard to Interview Monday with Miami

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports the Dolphins will interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard on Monday morning with an in-person interview.

The Dolphins also plan to conduct Jeff Hafley’s 2nd interview on Monday, according to NFL Insider Albert Breer.

That will also be an in-person interview.

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.

The Dolphins will interview Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard on Monday morning in-person, per source.

Sheppard, an NFL linebacker for eight seasons, played two years with Miami (2014-15).

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 18, 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 5th defensive coordinator Miami has asked to interview who has no head coaching experience. Chris Shula, Jeff Hafley, Anthony Campanile, and Patrick Graham were the others.

It is interesting that Sheppard is meeting with Miami, 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 the coach of the Chicago Bears.

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

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