While people of color, Black coaches in particular, have had the head coaching door shut in their faces more times than opened, they have had more success when it comes to coordinator positions.
The Chicago Bears just made history at the history position as they promoted safeties coach Sean Desai to defensive coordinator. Desai, who replaces the now retired Chuck Pagano, becomes the first coordinator of Indian descent in NFL history.
Desai started his coaching career with the Bears in 2013 as a quality control assistant. He moved up the ranks, working with the team’s defensive backs and linebackers, and was promoted to safeties coach in 2019. Now he takes the reigns of a defense that needs to improve in order for the Bears to advance further in the playoffs next season.
“I think Sean is ready,” said former Bears defensive coordinator Nick Fangio. “He thinks he is, which is more than half the battle. I know he has confidence in himself that he can do it. He definitely thinks he is more than ready for this and that’s a big part of it. He’s confident and I think the players will see how confident he is and how excited he is and that will get them off to a good start.”
The ascent of “Doc”, Desai’s team anointed nickname as he has a doctorate in educational administration from Temple University, is one that Nagy was happy to continue.
“We are very fortunate and excited to promote from within,” said head coach Matt Nagy said in a statement. “He is a person of high football intelligence, extremely detail oriented, has a very strong work ethic and I cannot think of someone more deserving to lead our defense. Sean is a family man of high character and the respect he has within our building from coaches, players and staff is unparalleled.”
