The Chicago Bears didn’t have to look far to find their new defensive coordinator. In fact, the Bears chose their team member with the longest. Friday night, the Bears officially appointed former security technician Sean Desai as his new defensive coordinator. Desai, who has been in the franchise since 2013, will replace Chuck Pagano after he retired as a coach earlier this month.
Desai has spent the past two seasons as a Chicago security technician. Prior to that, he served as the team’s defensive quality control technician. Last season, Bears boasted the league’s 12th best pass defense. Chicago was also eighth in the NFL in third place in efficiency and fifth in efficiency in the red zone. Tashaun Gipson, Chicago’s free security holder, ended the season tied for the team leader in interceptions. Strong security Eddie Jackson, a Pro Bowler for the previous two seasons, set career records for tackles (82) and forced fumbles (three) during the 2020 season. The success of his backfield helped the Bears secure a playoff spot for the second time in Matt Nagy’s three seasons as a coach.
Desai, 37, started his coaching career in 2006, when he was appointed coach of Temple’s special and defensive teams. He spent five years in that position before serving as assistant director of Miami football operations in the 2011 season. Desai spent the 2012 season as Boston College running back coach and special team coordinator before joining the Bears team. .
As a Chicago QA assistant, Desai worked with the team’s linebackers and defensive players, while assisting special teams. Under his supervision, Jackson, linebacker Khalil Mack and cornerback Kyle Fuller were classified as All-Pro performers during the 2018 season. Their success helped the Bears win their first division title in eight years.
Desai will have a talented group to work with in 2021. Along with Jackson, Mack and Fuller, the Bears defense will also include linebackers Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan. One of the NFL Pro Bowl’s biggest scorns, Smith recorded 139 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions last season. Trevathan finished second in the team with 113 tackles.
Two areas that Bears’ defense will need to improve in 2021 are turnovers and rush passes. Chicago was only 25 in the NFL on forced turnovers last season. His team’s 35 sacks reached 17th place in the championship.