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Lions Coach Campbell Backs Sheppard Amid Defensive Struggles
Confirmed
In Short: Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell supports defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard despite recent poor performances.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has defended defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, maintaining faith in his second-year coordinator despite the team's ongoing defensive woes.
Campbell, speaking to ESPN, said, "Let's look at it and let's get it fixed," indicating a focus on internal solutions before making any drastic changes.
The Lions' defense is allowing 31.8 points per game, the highest in the NFL, and the team lost 32-26 to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night, marking the third time in four weeks they have given up at least 30 points.
In an interview with Andscape, Sheppard discussed his journey from player to coach and emphasized the importance of authenticity in leadership.
Sheppard reflected on head coach Dan Campbell's advice to stay true to himself and the trust that allows him to coach authentically.
Campbell has stated that he will exhaust all options before considering a change in the coaching staff, showing his commitment to Sheppard and the current defensive strategy.
Despite the struggles, players like cornerback Darius Slay and safety C.J. Reed have refused to blame Sheppard or the coaching staff, instead focusing on improving their own performance.
Slay noted, "We've just got to stay the course, stick together. Right now, it's us versus everybody and we're not playing very good defensively and we've got to fix it."
What's confirmed
- Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has defended defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, maintaining faith in his second-year coordinator despite the team's ongoing defensive woes.
- Campbell, speaking to ESPN, said, "Let's look at it and let's get it fixed," indicating a focus on internal solutions before making any drastic changes.
- The Lions' defense is allowing 31.8 points per game, the highest in the NFL, and the team lost 32-26 to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night, marking the third time in four weeks they have given up at least 30 points.
- In an interview with Andscape, Sheppard discussed his journey from player to coach and emphasized the importance of authenticity in leadership.
- Sheppard reflected on head coach Dan Campbell's advice to stay true to himself and the trust that allows him to coach authentically.
- Campbell has stated that he will exhaust all options before considering a change in the coaching staff, showing his commitment to Sheppard and the current defensive strategy.
- Despite the struggles, players like cornerback Darius Slay and safety C.J. Reed have refused to blame Sheppard or the coaching staff, instead focusing on improving their own performance.
What's still developing
- Second-year defensive coordinator talks empowerment, transition from player to coach and more Andscape senior NFL writer Jason Reid speaks to coordinators leaguewide about what meaningful advancement looks like for Black coaches at the highest level of football Authenticity is not separate from leadership.
- Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard joins Andscape senior NFL writer Jason Reid for “ Coaches Conversations ” to explain how being himself shaped his rise from playing in the NFL to running Detroit’s defense seven seasons later.
- He also discusses his Miami Dolphins head coaching interview, the affirmation it gave him, and how serving the Lions well in the present will prepare him for future opportunities.
- Most of the struggles have been in the secondary, which continues to deal with significant injuries, including cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, who was ruled out during the second half in Carolina because of a hamstring injury.
- "It's not a coaching thing, it's a players thing. This game comes down to winning one-on-ones, and that's what we've got to do as a whole collective unit in the secondary. We haven't been doing that," said Reed, who logged six tackles.
- There was a sense of frustration inside the visitors locker room at Bank of America Stadium as the Lions were preparing to exit, but they refused to blame Sheppard or anyone on the coaching staff for their issues.
- "I'm talking about getting better right now with what we've got. And that's what we're going to do. We're going to find a way to get better with what we've got."
- "But I know this: We go into panic mode when we've got 13 games left and we're 2-2, that's not the right thing to do. I just don't believe that. I never have. So, I know there's frustration and look, I'm frustrated. I know the players are frustrated."