Updated August 15, 2026
Kelvin Sheppard (born January 2, 1988) is the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. He played college football at LSU. He played linebacker in the NFL. The Buffalo Bills selected him No. 68 overall in the 2011 NFL draft. Roster membership as of August 14, 2026.
Player information
- Title: Defensive Coordinator
- Number: 51
- Born: January 2, 1988
- Height: 6 ft 2 in
- Weight: 252 lb
- College: LSU
- NFL draft: 2011, No. 68 overall (Buffalo Bills)
- Roster as of: August 14, 2026
Coaching career
DLP IQ records Kelvin Sheppard’s coaching jobs below. Head-coach W-L is his record in those games. Assistant rows are the job only.
Detroit Lions (2021–2025)
Kelvin Sheppard was outside linebackers coach of the Detroit Lions in the 2021 regular season (17 games).
Kelvin Sheppard was linebackers coach of the Detroit Lions in the 2022 regular season (17 games).
Kelvin Sheppard was linebackers coach of the Detroit Lions in the 2023 regular season (17 games).
Kelvin Sheppard was linebackers coach of the Detroit Lions in the 2024 regular season (17 games).
Kelvin Sheppard was defensive coordinator coach of the Detroit Lions in the 2025 regular season (17 games).
Postseason
Kelvin Sheppard was linebackers coach of the Detroit Lions in the 2023 postseason (3 games).
Kelvin Sheppard was linebackers coach of the Detroit Lions in the 2024 postseason (1 game).
Coaching jobs
| Year | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Detroit Lions | Outside linebackers coach |
| 2022 | Detroit Lions | Linebackers coach |
| 2023 | Detroit Lions | Linebackers coach |
| 2023 playoffs | Detroit Lions | Linebackers coach |
| 2024 | Detroit Lions | Linebackers coach |
| 2024 playoffs | Detroit Lions | Linebackers coach |
| 2025 | Detroit Lions | Defensive coordinator coach |
Playing career
Buffalo Bills (2011–2012)
Kelvin Sheppard played 15 regular season games for the Buffalo Bills in 2011, with 0 sacks, 0 interceptions, 32 solo tackles and 24 assists.
Kelvin Sheppard played 15 regular season games for the Buffalo Bills in 2012, with 2 sacks, 0 interceptions, 39 solo tackles and 24 assists.
Indianapolis Colts (2013)
Kelvin Sheppard played 12 regular season games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2013, with 1 sacks, 0 interceptions, 19 solo tackles and 26 assists.
Miami Dolphins (2014–2015)
Kelvin Sheppard played 9 regular season games for the Miami Dolphins in 2014, with 0 sacks, 0 interceptions, 16 solo tackles and 7 assists.
Kelvin Sheppard played 16 regular season games for the Miami Dolphins in 2015, with 0 sacks, 0 interceptions, 73 solo tackles and 30 assists.
New York Giants (2016–2017)
Kelvin Sheppard played 16 regular season games for the New York Giants in 2016, with 0 sacks, 0 interceptions, 17 solo tackles and 20 assists.
Kelvin Sheppard played 7 regular season games for the New York Giants in 2017, with 0 sacks, 2 interceptions, 27 solo tackles and 17 assists.
Detroit Lions (2018)
Kelvin Sheppard played 3 regular season games for the Detroit Lions in 2018, with 0 sacks, 0 interceptions, 5 solo tackles and 0 assists.
Postseason
Kelvin Sheppard played 2 postseason games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2013, with 0 sacks, 0 interceptions, 3 solo tackles and 8 assists.
NFL statistics
Regular season
| Year | Team | G | Sacks | Int | Solo | Ast | TFL | PD | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Buffalo Bills | 15 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | Buffalo Bills | 15 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | Indianapolis Colts | 12 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 26 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | Miami Dolphins | 9 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 | Miami Dolphins | 16 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 30 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | New York Giants | 16 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | New York Giants | 7 | 0 | 2 | 27 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2018 | Detroit Lions | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 93 | 3 | 2 | 228 | 148 | 21 | 11 | 1 |
Postseason
| Year | Team | G | Sacks | Int | Solo | Ast | TFL | PD | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Indianapolis Colts | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sources
Every counting number on this page is from DLP IQ. Derived rates use official NFL formulas on those counts. High-school, family, and award lists are omitted until DLP IQ has them. This page does not invent yards.
