Champion Coach Gives Major Approval of Big Lions Hire

The Detroit Lions lost to key members of their coaching staff this season when coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn left for head coaching opportunities. Since those departures, former Denver Broncos pass game coach John Morton has replaced Johnson as the offensive coordinator while Kelvin Sheppard was promoted from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator.

Morton has previously held an NFL OC job, however, the 2025 season will mark Sheppard's first time coordinating a defense. Although some fans might be worried about how the 37-year-old will perform in his new role, one former Super Bowl-winning coach has made it clear the Lions couldn't have named a better DC.

Lions News: Steve Spagnuolo Endorses Kelvin Sheppard Hire

In the lead-up to Super Bowl 59, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke to Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett regarding Sheppard's recent promotion. It didn't take long for the 65-year-old coach to endorse the Lions' decision.

"I love Kelvin Sheppard," Spagnuolo said. "If I could make a mini projection, (he) will be a head coach in this league, in my opinion."

Spagnuolo is a proven defensive master with four Super Bowl rings to his name, so his projecting Sheppard to become a head coach one day is a massive endorsement.

It also isn't as if Spagnuolo is talking for the sake of being heard. The Whitinsville, MA native was the New York Giants DC when Sheppard played for the franchise during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, recording 62 solo tackles, six defended passes, and two interceptions in 23 games during that stretch.

Even though it's been eight years since the duo worked together, Spagnuolo hasn't forgotten how much Sheppard impressed him.

"He was one of the smartest players I had back in New York, and we were fortunate enough to get him," Spagnulo said. "I knew he’d always be a coach and a really good one."

Needless to say, Lions fans should be excited for the future of the team's defense. Sheppard appears to have all the tools to minimize the damage left by Glenn's departure, and it's only a matter of time before he gets to prove himself on the gridiron.

Speaking of the future, the Lions are heading into the next chapter of the offseason with the fifth-best Super Bowl 60 odds (+1000) on FanDuel Sportsbook.

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