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Lions defensive coordinaor Kelvin Sheppard expected to be a front-runner for LSU head coaching job after Brian Kelly firing

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Mike Payton | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 11:24 AM ET

After the Detroit Lions' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7, everyone is talking about the job done by Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. To go into a primetime game against one of the best teams in the league with a skeleton crew and hold that offense to just nine points, that's bound to impress just about every decision-maker out there.

The early thoughts have been that Sheppard is likely to get head coaching interviews in the NFL this winter, but now that LSU has fired head coach Brian Kelly, Sheppard's alma mater could come calling, and after what they paid Kelly, it might be hard to say no.

There's already talk about Sheppard as one of the front-runners for the job

If LSU is for-real about the next head coach and turning it around the first guy you have to absolutely give a call to is K Shep. Even if he wants to stay in the NFL you have to throw that lure out there. If not here’s who.

Brent Key
Glenn Schumann
Matt Patricia
Vance Joseph
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) October 26, 2025

While there is nothing official yet and there won't be until this season is over, it's notable that LSU alums and fans hit social media hard last night asking for Sheppard to come home. This shouldn't be looked at as your classic instance where fans are clamoring over a coach they have no chance at.

You can take it to the bank that LSU will reach out to Sheppard at some point. Now, that doesn't mean he'll take the job, and it doesn't even mean he'll take an interview. He may look to stay in Detroit, or he may have his sights set on a head coaching role in the NFL. But again, they're very likely going to call him.

Sheppard played for LSU from 2007 to 2010 and helped them win a national championship in 2007. After he retired from playing, Sheppard went back ot LSU to be thier director of player development. So he's already sort of been on the LSU coaching staff before. The Lions hired him to be their linebacker coach a year later. We'll see what happens soon enough.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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