The Dolphins’ head coaching search is in full swing, and on Monday, they checked off two more interviews: Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
Let’s start with Graham, who’s no stranger to South Florida. He held the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator role back in 2019 before moving on to other opportunities.
Since then, he’s carved out a solid resume, including a stint with the Giants (2020-21) and, most recently, with the Raiders. Graham initially joined Las Vegas as part of Josh McDaniels’ staff in 2022, and despite the coaching carousel that followed - from McDaniels to Antonio Pierce to Pete Carroll - he remained a constant on the defensive side.
That kind of staying power says something about how he’s viewed inside buildings. With Carroll now out after just one season, Graham is exploring what’s next - and Miami is clearly interested.
Graham also brings with him a deep well of experience from his time with the Patriots, where he spent seven seasons in various roles under Bill Belichick, and a stint in Green Bay as an assistant. He’s a coach who’s seen multiple systems, adjusted to different locker rooms, and has led defenses in some of the league’s most demanding markets.
On the other side, Kelvin Sheppard is a rising name in coaching circles. A former NFL linebacker, Sheppard made the jump to defensive coordinator with the Lions just last season after Aaron Glenn took the Jets’ head coaching job.
While 2025 was his first year calling a defense, he’s been steadily climbing the coaching ladder in Detroit - starting as the outside linebackers coach in 2021, then moving to inside linebackers in 2022, and continuing in that role through 2024. His rapid rise reflects the kind of leadership and football IQ that resonates with players and front offices alike.
The Dolphins’ interview list is long and loaded with intriguing options. In addition to Graham and Sheppard, they’ve sat down with or plan to meet with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, Packers defensive coordinator Jim Hafley, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula. They also had their eye on Kevin Stefanski before the Falcons swooped in and hired him.
What’s clear is that Miami is casting a wide net - blending experienced play-callers with fresh voices, and looking across both sides of the ball. Whether they go with a veteran like Graham or a fast-riser like Sheppard, the Dolphins are signaling that they’re open to different philosophies - as long as the vision is sharp and the leadership is strong.