Supposedly the Dolphins almost hired Kelvin Sheppard

[Fin Fan in NC]

Dolphins Almost Hired Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard As HC?
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2026/02/dolphins-almost-hired-lions-dc-kelvin-sheppard-as-hc

Hafley interviewed with the Dolphins on January 17 and Sheppard followed the next day. Hafley’s was announced the evening of Sheppard’s interview. That raised some concern that Sheppard’s interview was a sham, intended only to fulfill the NFL’s Rooney Rule requirement. But he is appreciative of the invitation nonetheless, as the Dolphins were the first team to express formal interest in him for a head coaching jog.

 

[andyahs]

Not seeing anything in that article starting he was almost hired. Sounds like pure speculation from him to keep his name relevant.

His comments this week indicate he might have been the runner-up.

Does not scream the Dolphins wanted him.

 

[BrowardDolfan]

Not seeing anything in that article starting he was almost hired. Sounds like pure speculation from him to keep his name relevant.


Does not scream the Dolphins wanted him.

The article does state he was a "finalist" for the job. To me, it's usually the top 3 candidates who get asked for a 2nd interview. If true, I don't understand the "Rooney Rule" sham interview slap they put in there. The 1st interview would satisfy the Rooney Rule. If it was a sham process, why bring him back for a 2nd interview?

 

[andyahs]

The article does state he was a "finalist" for the job. To me, it's usually the top 3 candidates who get asked for a 2nd interview. If true, I don't understand the "Rooney Rule" sham interview slap they put in there. The 1st interview would satisfy the Rooney Rule. If it was a sham process, why bring him back for a 2nd interview?

The article states he was a finalist but doesn't prove that. Pure speculation.

 

[Fin Fan in NC]

Not seeing anything in that article starting he was almost hired. Sounds like pure speculation from him to keep his name relevant.


Does not scream the Dolphins wanted him.

“Full disclosure, I was in communication with the Dolphins for about two weeks,” Sheppard said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “After the interview I was contacted by three people from that front office.” Sheppard not provide more details into his communication with Miami , but said information he received was “as real as it gets.”

 

[Fin Fan in NC]

The article states he was a finalist but doesn't prove that. Pure speculation.

That is why I put supposedly in the title brother. Just sharing what I saw.

 

[BrowardDolfan]

The article states he was a finalist but doesn't prove that. Pure speculation.

All these articles are speculation without quotes from all parties involved. That said, hard to believe anything this article states when it broaches a sham interview to meet the Rooney Rule, but states he was a finalist.

More importantly, who gives a ****? He didn't get the job.

 

[hoops]

I don’t buy that at all. But it’s a good way to keep your name off the token interview list.

 

[Highzenga]

I like Sheppard. Maybe he’ll be considered again down the line.

 

[MARINO1384]

Was no other candidate. As soon as we hired Sullivan, it was always going to be Hafley. Nobody else got any other thought.

 

[Nugtron]

Was no other candidate. As soon as we hired Sullivan, it was always going to be Hafley. Nobody else got any other thought.

Eh, I'll give you that...

 

[Rick Cartman]

Was no other candidate. As soon as we hired Sullivan, it was always going to be Hafley. Nobody else got any other thought.

It was going to be Hafley once they determined Sullivan was their guy and Sullivan said in his interviews he wanted his own HC.