The Seahawks have landed one of the biggest coaching names as they rebuild their defensive staff. Sean Desai has been hired under the title of associate head coach – defense (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).
Seattle has been looking for a new coach to lead the defense since they parted ways with defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. nearly a month ago. Desai was among the candidates for the role, along with DC jobs on the Giants, Raiders and Vikings, making him one of the most sought-after defensive minds in this hiring cycle. Originally, Ed Donatell was set to take on an assistant role in Seattle, but he pivoted to Minnesota yesterday.
At the age of 38, Rapoport notes, Desai is one of the youngest coaches in the league to hold such a high-ranking title. The hire proves the high regard he was held in due to his work with the Bears. Since coming to Chicago in 2013, he worked his way up the coaching ladder, getting promoted to DC one year ago. That made him the first coordinator of Indian descent in NFL history.
The Bears ranked sixth in the league in yards allowed per game (316.7), in spite of injuries to an number of key pieces on the unit. That success could certainly lead to him playing a role in helping the Seahawks rebound from their disappointing performances on that side of the ball in recent years.
Hope he can do his magic here.