The Miami Dolphins will interview former linebacker Kelvin Sheppard and current Detroit Lions defensive coordinator.
Much like the other teams looking for a new head coach, the Miami Dolphins are not leaving any stone unturned. Now, the team is set to interview a surprising candidate in the form of a former player who played for the team.
Current Detroit Lions defensive coordinator and former NFL linebacker Kelvin Sheppard is now in the running for the Dolphins' head coach position.
This is the first head coaching opportunity that Sheppard has received in this hiring cycle.
Sheppard began his playing career with the Buffalo Bills in 2011, and after two seasons, moved on to the Indianapolis Colts in 2013. He would join the Dolphins a season later, playing in the 2014 and 2015 seasons with the team, recording a career-high 105 tackles in the 2015 season with Miami.
After his playing career wrapped up in 2018, Sheppard transitioned into his first non-playing role as Director of Player Development with LSU in 2020. This ultimately led to his first coaching gig in 2021.
Sheppard's first job came with the Detroit Lions as the outside linebackers coach. He was then promoted to the linebackers coach from 2022 to 2024. Finally, Lions head coach Dan Campbell promoted him to defensive coordinator in 2025.
It is not shocking that Sheppard continues to fly up the ladder in terms of coaching. He is well respected among the Lions players and in the league.
The Dolphins add Sheppard to their growing list of candidates, and he could end up being one of the most intriguging options for the team.
Miami has been engaged in multiple interview requests for their head coach opening, but only Klint Kubiak has completed an interview thus far.
The growing tally for head coach interviews is former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
The Dolphins will continue to interview potential hires for the coming days and weeks, presumably. With the growing list of hopefuls and general quality of candidates in this hiring cycle, Miami does not have to rush on hiring anyone, similar to the other teams looking for their next hire.
Sheppard will now join the awaiting candidates that will interview in the coming days.