Coaches

Mike Sheppard, a 17-year veteran in NFL coaching, is in his fourth season as Bengals wide receivers coach. His resume includes two head coaching positions in college (Long Beach State and New Mexico), as well as NFL offensive coordinator’s duties at San Diego (1997-98), Buffalo (2001) and New Orleans (’05).

“Mike has a wealth of experience as a position coach over wide receivers and quarterbacks, as well as his experience as a coordinator,” says Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “I’ve coached alongside Mike in the NFL, and I coached under him in college. We know each other very well.”

In 2009, Sheppard oversaw the return to Pro Bowl form of Chad Ochocinco, the Bengals all-time receiving leader. Following a 2008 season during which his production was held back by a shoulder injury and the injury-related absence of QB Carson Palmer, Ochocinco came back last year to lead the team in receptions (72), receiving yards (1047) and touchdowns (nine). He made his sixth career appearance in the Pro Bowl.

Sheppard also guided the continued development of second-year pro Andre Caldwell, whose 51 receptions were the most by a first- or second-year Bengals WR since 2002.   

Sheppard was with the New Orleans Saints for his last four seasons in the NFL (2002-05) before joining the Bengals. As quarterbacks coach his first three years with the Saints, he worked to develop Aaron Brooks, who threw for 72 touchdowns and only 39 interceptions during those three seasons. Sheppard was promoted to offensive coordinator for 2005, the last season for head coach Jim Haslett.

Sheppard and Lewis were coaching colleagues in 1996 with the Baltimore Ravens. Sheppard was WRs coach and Lewis was defensive coordinator. Sheppard had his first NFL experience as a play-caller that season, as he was given the duty by head coach Ted Marchibroda, and the Ravens offense finished third in the NFL in net yards, as well as second in passing yards.

The Lewis-Sheppard association dates back some 25 years. In 1985, Sheppard was head coach at Long Beach State and hired Lewis as linebackers coach. Lewis moved with Sheppard to New Mexico in 1987, and Lewis was on the Lobos staff for the first three of Sheppard’s five seasons (1987-91).

Sheppard entered the NFL in 1993 as tight ends coach with the Cleveland Browns, and was Browns wide receivers coach in 1994-95. After his 1996 season in Baltimore, he was offensive coordinator for San Diego (1997-98), QBs coach for Seattle (1999-2000) and offensive coordinator for Buffalo (2001). Sheppard was former Bengal QB Jon Kitna’s position coach in 1999, when Kitna led the Seahawks to the AFC West title.

A native of Tulsa, Okla., Sheppard played WR at Cal Lutheran (1969-72), and he began a 19-year stint in college coaching at Cal Lutheran in ’74. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cal Lutheran and a master’s degree from Brigham Young.

Sheppard’s birth date is Oct. 29, 1951. He and his wife, Cathie, have four children — Chrissi, Brian, Shelby and Macall — and two grandchildren, Christian and Samantha.

PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY - 1969-72: Played wide receiver at Cal Lutheran. 1974-76: Assistant coach (AC), Cal Lutheran. 1977-78: Graduate assistant, Brigham Young. 1979: Offensive coordinator, U.S. International. 1980-81: AC, Idaho State. 1982: AC, Long Beach State. 1983: Offensive coordinator, Kansas. 1984-86: Head coach, Long Beach State. 1987-91: Head coach, New Mexico. 1992: Offensive coordinator, California. 1993-95: AC, Cleveland Browns. 1996: AC. Baltimore Ravens. 1997-98: Offensive coordinator, San Diego Chargers. 1999-2000: AC, Seattle Seahawks. 2001: Offensive coordinator, Buffalo Bills. 2002-04: AC, New Orleans Saints. 2005: Offensive coordinator, New Orleans Saints. 2007-present: AC, Bengals.