The Chicago Bears found its new defensive coordinator at Sean Desai, who has served as Chicago’s security technician for the past two seasons. He has been with the Bears since 2013, where he served as a quality control assistant.
Bears ended up deciding to promote internally instead of looking elsewhere, which not only allows them to avoid a review of the defense team, but also gives a young and rising star and the opportunity to lead a talented defense.
Desai has already received many accolades. Here’s what people in the league, including former players, the media, and even Matt Nagy, have to say about Desai’s promotion to defensive coordinator.
Matt Nagy says, “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of leading our defense” than Desai
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The Bears coach issued a statement about Desai’s promotion, where he said that there is no one “more deserving of leading our defense” than Desai.
“We are very happy and excited to promote internally and announce that Sean Desai has been named defensive coordinator for our football team,” said Nagy in a statement. “He is a person of great football intelligence, extremely detailed, has a very strong work ethic and I cannot think of anyone more deserving to lead our defense.
“Sean is a family man of high character and the respect he has within us from coaches, players and the team is second to none.”
Sam I think says to “expect more than you saw in 2018” with the hiring of Desai
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Former Bears linebacker Sam I think has advocated that Desai be promoted to defensive coordinator for a while, and now that has happened. I think the defense “took a step in the right direction” with the promotion of Desai and “expects more than it saw in 2018, but with its own flavor”.
Kyle Long says “no one knows the staff” in Chicago like Desai
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Former Bears offensive striker Kyle Long admires Desai for being defensive coordinator. Long said “no one knows the staff” in Chicago like Desai, who is Bears’ oldest assistant. One who also worked with former Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Sam I think said that Desai “helped build this (Vic Fangio) defense for greatness”
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I think I had a lot of praise for Desai, which had a lot to do with his involvement with Fangio over the years. He was essentially “Fangio’s right hand” for four years and “helped build the defense for greatness”. Which certainly bodes well for Chicago in 2021.
Louis Riddick praises Desai and says he “just needed the opportunity”
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ESPN commentator and would-be general manager Louis Riddick had nothing but good things to say about Desai. “Great teacher, trained under some great mentors, great communicator, very respected by the players.” But, as with many rising stars, he “just needed the opportunity”. Now, he has.
Dan Orlovsky says Desai has a “brilliant mind”
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ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky used to be Desai’s teammate in high school, so he saw Desai’s rise. He also called Desai a “brilliant mind”.
Anthony Herron says that promoting Desai could mean better “evaluation, development and use of talented young players”
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Reporter Anthony Herron discussed what the promotion of Desai could mean for the Bears, which he said bodes well for “evaluating, developing and using talented young players”.
Zack Pearson says that “Desai is highly respected within the organization”
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Undoubtedly, one of the reasons Desai got the job was his reputation in the organization. Bears reporter Zack Pearson said that Desai is “very respected within the organization. Very smart man. “
Robert Mays said the Bears “put a new and deserving coach in the pool of coordinators” with Desai
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The Bears simply could have looked for an experienced defensive coordinator elsewhere and had to introduce a new defensive scheme. Instead, they promoted from the inside, which The Athletic’s Robert Mays said “put a deserving new coach in the pool of coordinators” with Desai.