- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 464,460
- Reaction score
- 44
The Detroit Lions will enter the 2025-2026 season with new coordinators on both sides of the ball, constituting both a challenge and an opportunity for coach Dan Campbell's team.
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard will slide over from coaching linebackers into the defensive coordinator slot while new offensive coordinator John Morton will be tasked with continuing and improving upon the successful unit created by outgoing coordinator Ben Johnson.
On Friday, Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew addressed the media, sharing his raw thoughts on the Lions' decision to promote Sheppard and why he believes the former NFL and Florida State Seminoles linebacker is a strong fit for Detroit's culture.
Ben Johnson (left) and Ray Agnew watch practice in 2023. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
"I'm a big Kelvin Sheppard fan, so I have no reservations, man," Agnew said at a press conference.
"Shep, I was a fan of him as a player and as a coach, man. He's demanding, our defense is going to be aggressive still. And the guy's a great coach, man, he get(s) his players better," Agnew said.
Agnew added that he is excited about both Sheppard and Morton, calling Morton "creative" and "aggressive" as a play-caller.
The Lions finished 20th in the NFL in yards allowed last season, giving up 342.4 per game under departed defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who is now the head coach of the New York Jets.
Glenn did a strong job of keeping the defense together amid key injuries to Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill and others, but the defense became Detroit's undoing in a playoff loss to the Commanders at Ford Field.
Continue reading...
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard will slide over from coaching linebackers into the defensive coordinator slot while new offensive coordinator John Morton will be tasked with continuing and improving upon the successful unit created by outgoing coordinator Ben Johnson.
On Friday, Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew addressed the media, sharing his raw thoughts on the Lions' decision to promote Sheppard and why he believes the former NFL and Florida State Seminoles linebacker is a strong fit for Detroit's culture.
You must be registered for see images attach
Ben Johnson (left) and Ray Agnew watch practice in 2023. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
"I'm a big Kelvin Sheppard fan, so I have no reservations, man," Agnew said at a press conference.
"Shep, I was a fan of him as a player and as a coach, man. He's demanding, our defense is going to be aggressive still. And the guy's a great coach, man, he get(s) his players better," Agnew said.
Agnew added that he is excited about both Sheppard and Morton, calling Morton "creative" and "aggressive" as a play-caller.
The Lions finished 20th in the NFL in yards allowed last season, giving up 342.4 per game under departed defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who is now the head coach of the New York Jets.
Glenn did a strong job of keeping the defense together amid key injuries to Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill and others, but the defense became Detroit's undoing in a playoff loss to the Commanders at Ford Field.
Continue reading...
