Entering his 25th season on the staff and 17th as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator at Shepherd is Josh Kline. Kline previously worked with the Ram defensive line, special teams, and the secondary.
In 2024 six Rams gained All-PSAC East honors under Kline's tutelage. Miles Greer, Matt Bednarski, Brett Kowak, and JT Kouame-Yao earned first team honors ,while Harold O'Neal and Donte Harrison were second team selections, Additionally, Brodie Carroll was named PSAC East Freshman of the Year.
In 2023, Kilne helped lead Shepherd to a 9-3 overall mark with a 5-2 record in conference play. The Rams made their third straight NCAA II playoff appearance. Four Rams garnered All-PSAC East honors with Jack Baxter and Omari Terry gaining first team honors.
In 2022, five Rams garnered first team All-PSAC East under Kline. Kyle Smith, Malik Holloway, Dewayne Grantham, Keyshawn Hailey and Klayton Batten were honored as Shepherd posted a 13-2 overall mark with a 7-0 record in PSAC East play as the PSAC East Champion. The Rams won the Super Region One title before falling to Colorado School of Mines in the national semifinals.
In 2021, a trio of Rams gained first team All-PSAC East honors. Juwan Addison, Chrys Lane, and Ponce Deleon earned first team honors as the Rams posted a 13-2 overall mark as Super Region One Champions before falling to eventual national champion Ferris State in the semifinal round.
In 2019 Shepherd led the PSAC and ranked eighth in NCAA II in interceptions (20).
The Rams ranked first in the MEC and 10th nationally in first downs defense (153) in 2018. Shepherd also ranked 13th nationally in total defense (290.0).
Shepherd ranked 17th in rushing defense and 13th in team sacks (3.18) in 2017. Additionally, Shepherd's Myles Humphrey ranked fourth nationally in sacks (1.18) and 10th in sacks (1.18). Humphrey, the MEC Defensive Player of the Year, became the program's all-time sack leader (40). and tied the career mark for most tackles-for-loss (69).
The Rams ranked 12th nationally in rushing defense (95.8), 17th in team passing efficiency defense (106.30), and 18th in total defense (301.6) in 2016. Humphrey also tied the single-season mark for most tackles-for-loss (23.5).
Shepherd ranked 11th in rushing defense (97.7), 14th in team passing efficiency defense (102.09), and 19th in total defense (310.1) in 2015 en route to an appearance in the national championship game. Additionally, Shaneil Jenkins was named MEC Defensive Player of the Year and garnered All-American honors.
In 2014 Shepherd led NCAA II in rushing defense (44.3) in 2014 for the fourth consecutive year. The Rams also ranked second in total defense (225.7) and third in scoring defense (13.0).
Kline earned 2013 FootballScoop Division II Coordinator of the Year honors after Shepherd led NCAA II in rushing defense (48.3), placed second in both scoring defense (13.4) and total defense (244.8), and ranked third in pass efficiency defense (96.68).
The Rams led NCAA II in rushing defense (52.64) and red zone defense (0.52) in 2012.
In Kline's first season as defensive coordinator in 2011, the Rams led NCAA II in rushing defense and total defense. Shepherd also set a new NCAA II team record for most interception returns for touchdowns (8), while Elijah Davis tied an NCAA II mark with four interceptions for touchdowns.
In 2010 Ram return specialist Deante Steele set an NCAA II record with his 11th career kick return touchdown and gained All-American honors for the third straight year. Additionally, Shepherd ranked second nationally in turnover margin. In 2009 Steele earned All-American honors for the second consecutive year as he tied a pair of NCAA II records.
All four starters on Kline’s 2007 defensive line gained All-WVIAC honors.
Kline, a 2003 Shepherd graduate, played for the Rams as a defensive lineman from 1998-2002. He was a member of the 1998 and 1999 WVIAC champion teams and served as a team captain as a senior in 2002.
Kline earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in physical education from Shepherd in 2005.
Kline and his wife, Kim, also a 2003 Shepherd graduate, reside in Hagerstown, Maryland, with their two children, Bradley and Kaylee. Kline was inducted into the Shepherd Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023.
