Jan. 12, 2026, 6:13 p.m. ET
The Miami Dolphins will interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard for their vacant head coaching job, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Sheppard, 38, is relatively early in his coaching career after eight years of playing linebacker in the NFL. That included the 2014 and 2015 seasons with the Dolphins. During his time in Miami, Sheppard played in 30 games and made 14 starts. He recorded 129 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections.
His NFL coaching career began in 2021 when he was named the outside linebackers coach in Detroit. He became linebackers coach in 2022 and took over for the departing Aaron Glenn as defensive coordinator in 2025.
In Sheppard’s first year at the helm, the Lions allowed 291.8 yards per through the first 10 games of the season. But after the team suffered several significant injuries, including defensive backs Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Terrion Arnold all landing on injured reserve, the Lions allowed an average of 389.1 yards in their last seven.
The Dolphins are the first team to ever interview Sheppard for a head coaching position.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
The team already interviewed Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, requested interviews with Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, and reportedly expressed interest in former Ravens coach John Harbaugh and former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski.