After a week and a half of searching and interviewing numerous candidates, the Chicago Bears named safeties coach Sean Desai as their new defensive coordinator on Friday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Desai has been with the team since 2013 and replaces Chuck Pagano, who retired after leading the Bears defense for two seasons. The man nicknamed “Doc” spent six years as the team’s quality control assistant before being promoted to the safeties coach in 2019.
Desai won the job over other candidates such as Dallas Cowboys assistant George Edwards, former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher, Indianapolis Colts secondary coach Jonathon Gannon and Bears legend Mike Singletary.
The news drew plenty of reactions on Friday afternoon as many former players, fans, and analysts shared their thoughts on the new Bears defensive coordinator.
HUGE hire for the Chicago Bears. Congrats to Sean Desai on becoming the next Bears Defensive Coordinator. They’ve got some holes fill at D line coach and offensive skill coaches, but this is a step in the right direction. Expect more of what you saw in 2018 but w/ his own flavor
— Sam Acho (@TheSamAcho) January 22, 2021
Desai is the man – my rookie year he drew the cards for the scout defense i believe. He then ran scout meetings – worked his way up. Always the same guy too
— Kyle (@Ky1eLong) January 22, 2021
There it is. Great opportunity for Sean Desai, and I like the idea of the Bears giving someone they consider a young, rising star a chance. https://t.co/e1m8dDNN8F
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 22, 2021
Spoke earlier with @dan_bernstein & @leilarahimi about what promoting Sean Desai to DC could mean for the Bears. Evaluating, developing, and utilizing talented young players or coaches hasn’t been their strength. Maybe this move will show improvement there. https://t.co/8IFwLm5fXu
— Anthony Herron (@BigAntHerron) January 22, 2021
Awesome. Really happy to see the Bears giving an opportunity to someone who's worked his way up for years. People who have been with the team seem to love the guy, and there's a reason he's been here since 2013 #DaBears https://t.co/BlaHMEoN9h
— Jim Hanson (@NavyOrangeJim) January 22, 2021
I like this move very much 🐻⬇️ https://t.co/B6HUNCtgOQ
— Danny (@clutchbryant) January 22, 2021
Oh look a competent move by the #Bears #Collaboration https://t.co/f0GZIcV30U
— Joseph Hodge (@joecamelpack) January 22, 2021
No pressure, Desai.
Everyone is on the hot seat, defense is all you, a multitude of starters in their 30s, and we’re set to spend more money on defense than any other NFL team so you need to be Top 5. Deal? Deal. https://t.co/QC2cE6IQLz
— Joe Ostrowski (@JoeO670) January 22, 2021
Should be interesting to see how much the #Bears defense will change with him in charge.
Love the hire. Expect a 3-4 scheme though. https://t.co/ZTqe4UG9Nn
— Joseph Herff (@JosephHerffNFL) January 22, 2021
Yes, thank you Bears! My favorite candidate and in house hire https://t.co/E3Cq1E8nYy
— ⛓️⛓️🐻⬇️Bren🐻⬇️⛓️⛓️ (@BBB_54_) January 22, 2021
Big news! Very excited about this hire. He’s got loads of experience all over
-Defensive and special teams coach at Temple
-Assistant director of football ops at Miami
-RB coach/special teams coordinator at Boston College
–#Bears quality control coach
–#Bears safety coach https://t.co/ciF7S5Y8CU— Austin F (@PodGuyFuges) January 22, 2021
Sean Desai has been one of the two internal candidates — Jay Rodgers — who had a legit chance of being promoted.
I’ve had my concerns with Desai. Yet, he’s also held in high regard by players and coaches around the league. So let’s see how this turns out. https://t.co/NGBDYDCg3D
— Erik Duerrwaechter (@EDuerrwaechter) January 22, 2021
Bears just gave me a reason to care next season.
I'll be rooting hard for Sean👊🏾#DaBears https://t.co/Tw06Q99xZm pic.twitter.com/MCUfjaOdWO
— Malcom C. Riley III (@MalcomRiley22) January 22, 2021
I love the hire. Unconventional and fresh. Always better to promote within the org with new coordinators https://t.co/pyJMP575rz
— Blake (@SoldierFieldBlg) January 22, 2021
What an amazing moment for every little Indian kid who’s loved this sport forever! https://t.co/6EIdwsEFtI
— Suraj Sinha (@surajkibahomein) January 22, 2021
So excited for Sean Desai! We shared a small office at Temple together. Total stud coach. 2 offices next to us were Ryan Day and Matt Rhule. Easy to pick out the stars in this profession and imposters. Hard working, knowledgeable, relationships matter and they can flat out teach. https://t.co/KFhyaR06oc
— Tony Racioppi (@Tonyrazz03) January 22, 2021
This is HUGE.
BEAR DOWN 🐻⬇️#DaBears https://t.co/zmueb6nhaI
— Nic Roti (@ChicagoNic) January 22, 2021
As you can see by former players, Desai is very well respected within the organization. Very smart man. Have been able to talk to him in pressers and came away impressed with his attention to detail. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) January 22, 2021
This is the first Bears move I have liked in……. https://t.co/BMdblCKJn9
— Josiah Abbott (@JosiahAb) January 22, 2021
Chicago Indians rejoice 🤝 https://t.co/BdB4DXh3CU
— suge (@SugarShiv) January 22, 2021
Breaking barriers love to see it https://t.co/oWD7qndgHx
— Sports With X (@sportswithx) January 22, 2021
Been on the staff for years and love the idea of promoting within. Woulda have preferred Jay Rodgers but definitely cool with Desai https://t.co/Qq2hcbfvkg
— Xavier Rosa (@MrChi_City) January 22, 2021
