After a week and a half of researching and interviewing several candidates, Chicago Bears safety coach Sean Desai appointed a new defense coordinator on Friday, According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Desai has been with the team since 2013 and replaces Chuck Pagano, who retired after leading the Byers defense for two seasons. The man nicknamed “Doc” spent six years as the team’s quality control assistant before being promoted to safety coach in 2019.
Desai won the job over other candidates such as Dallas Cowboys assistant George Edwards, former Arizona Cardinals defense coordinator James Beecher, Indianapolis Colts secondary coach Jonathon Janon and Bears legend Mike Singletary.
The news sparked a lot of reaction on Friday afternoon as many former players, fans and analysts shared their thoughts on the new Bears Defense Coordinator.
Huge rental for the Chicago Bears. Congratulations to Shawn Desai on becoming the Bears’ next Defense Coordinator. They have some loopholes in D line coaches and offensive skill coaches, but this is a step in the right direction. Expect more of what you saw in 2018 but with its own flavor
– Sam Ashu (@ TheSamAcho) January 22, 2021
Desai is the guy – in my rookie year, scouting card maker I think. Then he made scout meetings – and worked his way up. Always the same guy too
– Kyle (@ Ky1eLong) January 22, 2021
that is it. Great opportunity for Sean Desai, and I love the idea of the Bears giving someone they consider to be a young rising star a chance. https://t.co/e1m8dDNN8F
– Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 22, 2021
Talked earlier with Embed a Tweet & Embed a Tweet On what Sean Desai’s promotion to DC could mean for the Bears. The evaluation, development and use of talented young players or coaches was not their strength. Perhaps this step will show improvement there. https://t.co/8IFwLm5fXu
Anthony Herron (@BigAntHerron) January 22, 2021
Gorgeous. Really happy to see bears as they give an opportunity to someone who has worked their way up for years. The people who have been with the team seem to love the guy, and there’s a reason he’s been here since 2013 # Bear https://t.co/BlaHMEoN9h
Jim Hanson (NavyOrangeJim) January 22, 2021
I like this movement very much https://t.co/B6HUNCtgOQ
– Danny (clutchbryant) January 22, 2021
Oh competent look a step ahead # Bear # Cooperat https://t.co/f0GZIcV30U
– Joseph Hodge (@joecamelpack) January 22, 2021
No pressure, desai.
Everyone is in a hot seat, defense is all you have, many beginners are in their 30s, and we’re willing to spend more money on defense than any other NFL team, so should you be the best 5. Deal? Deal. https://t.co/QC2cE6IQLz
Joe Ostrowski (JoeO670) January 22, 2021
It must be interesting to see how much # Bear Defense will change with him in charge.
Love to rent. Expect a 3-4 scheme though. https://t.co/ZTqe4UG9Nn
Joseph Herff (@JosephHerffNFL) January 22, 2021
Yes, thank you bears! My preferred candidate is hiring at home https://t.co/E3Cq1E8nYy
– ⛓️⛓️🐻⬇️Bren🐻⬇️⛓️⛓️ (@ BBB_54_) January 22, 2021
Big news! Very excited about this rental. He has a lot of experience everywhere
– Trainer of defensive and special teams at Temple
Assistant Director of Football Operations in Miami
– RB Team Coach / Boston College Teams Coordinator
–# Bear Quality Control Instructor
–# Bear Safety trainer https://t.co/ciF7S5Y8CUAustin F (@ PodGuyFuges) January 22, 2021
One of the internal candidates – Jay Rodgers – was Sean Desai who had a legitimate opportunity for a promotion.
I had my concerns with Desai. However, it is held in high esteem by players and coaches across the league. So let’s see how this turns out. https://t.co/NGBDYDCg3D
– Eric Doerwachter (@EDuerrwaechter) January 22, 2021
Bears gave me a reason to nurture next season.
I will be the root of Sean👊🏾# Bear https://t.co/Tw06Q99xZm pic.twitter.com/MCUfjaOdWO
– Malcolm C Riley III (@ MalcomRiley22) January 22, 2021
I love to rent. Funky and fresh. It’s always best to upgrade in-house with the new coordinators https://t.co/pyJMP575rz
– Blake (SoldierFieldBlg) January 22, 2021
What an amazing moment for every Indian kid who loved the sport forever! https://t.co/6EIdwsEFtI
– Suraj Sinha (@surajkibahomein) January 22, 2021
So excited by Shawn Desai! We shared a small Temple office together. Total Stud Coach. Two offices next to us are Ryan Day and Matt Rhule. It is easy to pick out stars in this profession and fraudsters. Hard work, knowledge and relationships are important and they can teach easily. https://t.co/KFhyaR06oc
– Tonyrazzubi (@ Tonyrazz03) January 22, 2021
This is huge.
Bear down 🐻⬇️# Bear https://t.co/zmueb6nhaI
Nick Rutte (@ChicagoNic) January 22, 2021
As you can see by former players, Desai is highly respected within the organization. Very smart man. He could talk to him at the printing presses and came out amazed with his attention to detail. # Bear
Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) January 22, 2021
This is the first movement of the bears that I loved … https://t.co/BMdblCKJn9
– Josiah Abbott (@JosiahAb) January 22, 2021
Chicago Indians rejoice 🤝 https://t.co/BdB4DXh3CU
– suge (SugarShiv) January 22, 2021
Breaking barriers I’d love to see https://t.co/oWD7qndgHx
– Sports With X (sportswithx) January 22, 2021
I’ve been on staff for years and love the idea of promoting inside. Jay Rodgers could have preferred but he’s definitely cool with Desai https://t.co/Qq2hcbfvkg
– Xavier Rosa (@MrChi_City) January 22, 2021
“Guru professionista del caffè. Giocatore tipico. Difensore degli alcolici. Fanatico del bacon. Organizzatore.”
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