University of Dubuque

Shepherd joined the Spartans in 2024 as defensive coordinator after two seasons as defensive coordinator at Central College (2022-24) and three seasons at Lakeland University (Wis.) two as the defensive coordinator.

A D3football.com All-West Region linebacker at the University of Redlands (Calif.), Shepherd was the 2016 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference defensive player of the year. He was a four-time all-conference selection and a three-time first-team honoree. Also a team captain, Shepherd was named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Society for academic performance.

Shepherd, a Seattle, Wash. native, served as a graduate assistant defensive line coach at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2018 before joining the staff at Lakeland as linebackers coach in 2019. He was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2020 and received a master’s degree at Lakeland that year as well while also serving as the school’s strength and conditioning coordinator.

He resides in Dubuque with his fiancee Alexis and twin sons Cooper and Jordan.