Tag: Sean Desai

Oct 29, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera (L) shakes hands with Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni (R) during warmup prior to their game at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles interviewing Ron Rivera about DC opening

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles are interviewing former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera for their recently vacated defensive coordinator position, ESPN reported Monday.

The Eagles reportedly parted ways with defensive coordinator Sean Desai on Sunday.

Rivera, 62, last served as a DC on Norv Turner’s staff with the then-San Diego Chargers from 2008-10. The 2010 squad finished first in the NFL in total defense and second in scoring defense.

Rivera is 102-103-2 as a head coach with the Commanders (2020-23) and Carolina Panthers (2011-19). He also has been a defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears (2004-06) and has experience in Philadelphia as Andy Reid’s linebackers coach for five seasons from 1999-2003.

Desai, 40, was demoted by head coach Nick Sirianni after lopsided defeats to the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys in December, with Matt Patricia taking over the play-calling duties. The switch to Patricia didn’t help as the defense continued to struggle, particularly in the Eagles’ 32-9 wild-card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 15.

Desai, who took over in February when Jonathan Gannon left to become the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, oversaw a defensive unit that allowed 35 passing touchdowns (second in the NFL) and ranked 30th in red zone and third-down defense in 2023.

–Field Level Media

September 18, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks associate head coach - defense Sean Desai before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Eagles fire defensive coordinator Sean Desai

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After relieving defensive coordinator Sean Desai of his play-calling duties last month, the Philadelphia Eagles fired him, per multiple reports Sunday.

Desai, 40, was demoted by head coach Nick Siriani after lopsided defeats to the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys in December, with Matt Patricia taking over. The switch to Patricia didn’t help as the defense continued to struggle, particularly in the Eagles’ 32-9 wild-card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 15.

Desai, who took over in February when Jonathan Gannon left to become the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, oversaw a defensive unit that allowed 35 passing touchdowns (second in the NFL) and ranked 30th in red zone and third-down defense in 2023.

Desai came to Philadelphia after one season with the Seattle Seahawks as an associate head coach and defensive assistant.

Desai was on the Bears’ coaching staff from 2013-21, rising to the position of defensive coordinator in 2021. He was fired after that season when the Bears parted ways with head coach Matt Nagy.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos eyeing Ronald Curry for OC

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New Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is eyeing to pluck some assistant coaches from his old team in New Orleans, including Ronald Curry as his potential offensive coordinator, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Tuesday.

The report comes on the same day the Saints are interviewing Sean Desai virtually for the defensive coordinator role.

Curry worked under Payton in New Orleans, beginning in 2016 as an offensive assistant before moving to wide receivers coach and then quarterbacks in 2021. Curry also interviewed with Tampa Bay for the Bucs’ vacant OC post.

The Broncos have already tabbed the Saints’ Zach Strief to be their offensive line coach. Further, the Times-Picayune reported Payton has offered Saints offensive assistant Kevin Petry a role and CBS Sports reports Declan Doyle is a candidate to be tight ends coach in Denver.

Desai, 39, is the Seattle Seahawks associate head coach and defensive assistant.

Desai joined the Seahawks last year after working one season as the defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears. He also served as the Bears’ defensive quality control coach (2013-18) and safeties coach (2019-20).

9News reports Desai is now the favorite for Denver’s DC now that Brian Flores went to Minnesota and Vic Fangio is committed to Miami. The Broncos let Ejiro Evero out of his contract and he signed with Carolina.

9News also reported that outside linebackers coach Bert Watts is not expected to be retained by Payton.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores watches from the sideline during the second quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos to interview Brian Flores, Sean Desai for DC position

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The Denver Broncos have requested to interview both Brian Flores and Sean Desai for their defensive coordinator position, the NFL Network reported Friday.

Ejiro Evero currently is the Broncos defensive coordinator, however he has interviewed for head coaching positions with the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts. He also has interviewed with the Broncos (Sean Payton), Carolina Panthers (Frank Reich) and Houston Texans (DeMeco Ryans), however those clubs have since filled that position.

Flores, 41, serves as the senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was fired by the Miami Dolphins as their head coach in January 2022.

Flores interviewed with Arizona last month for their head coaching position. He also interviewed for defensive coordinator positions with the Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns.

Flores jumped into the head-coaching cycle one year ago, but the outcome of the process with the New York Giants led to a lawsuit against the NFL.

Flores filed a lawsuit against the league and highlighted three teams — the Dolphins, Giants and Broncos — for racial discrimination in hiring practices. In Flores’ lawsuit, he alleges — among other claims — that Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami franchise, offered him a $100,000 bonus for each loss in an attempt to secure a top draft pick.

Flores shared a text from Bill Belichick that showed the New England Patriots coach mistakenly sent Flores a congratulatory message on getting the Giants’ head coaching job. The message was sent before Flores interviewed for the job and was intended instead for Brian Daboll, who ended up getting the position. That text message exchange is at the crux of Flores’ lawsuit.

Desai, 39, is the Seattle Seahawks associate head coach and defensive assistant.

Desai joined the Seahawks last year after working one season as the defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears. He also served as the Bears’ defensive quality control coach (2013-18) and safeties coach (2019-20).

–Field Level Media

Jul 29, 2021; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai gestures while walking on the field during a Chicago Bears training camp session at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Seahawks hiring former Bears DC Sean Desai

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The Seattle Seahawks are hiring former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai as an associate head coach, NFL Network reported Friday.

Desai, 38, interviewed for the defensive coordinator jobs with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants this offseason.

He was a defensive quality control coach (2013-18) and safeties coach (2019-20) with Chicago before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2021. The Bears finished No. 3 in passing defense and No. 6 in total defense in his first season in charge.

Desai was not retained by the Bears when head coach Matt Nagy was fired after the season and replaced by Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

Head coach Pete Carroll’s Seahawks (7-10) missed the playoffs for just the second time in 10 years in 2021 after finishing 28th in the NFL in total defense.

–Field Level Media

Jan 6, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale during an AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Ravens 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Giants to interview Don Martindale, Sean Desai for DC job

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The New York Giants are interviewing longtime NFL assistants Don “Wink” Martindale and Sean Desai among “four or so others” for their defensive coordinator opening on Saturday, the NFL Network reported.

The Giants are seeking to replace defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who reportedly has accepted the same role with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Martindale, 58, had been the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens for the last four seasons. Starting in 2004, he spent five seasons as the Raiders’ linebackers coach before serving as the Denver Broncos’ linebackers coach in 2009 and their defensive coordinator the following year.

Martindale also was the Ravens’ linebackers coach from 2012-17. The Ravens fired Martindale on Jan. 21.

Desai, 38, has spent the last nine seasons with the Chicago Bears, including 2021 as their defensive coordinator. He was Chicago’s defensive quality control coach from 2013-18 before serving as the Bears safeties coach the next two seasons.

The Bears confirmed Desai’s departure from the team on Tuesday. He was not retained by new head coach Matt Eberflus.

–Field Level Media

Jul 29, 2021; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai gestures while walking on the field during a Chicago Bears training camp session at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Raiders interviewing Sean Desai for DC job

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly considering former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai for the same position on new coach Josh McDaniels’ staff.

NFL Media reported that Desai will meet with the Raiders on Thursday.

Desai, 38, was a defensive quality control coach (2013-18) and safeties coach (2019-20) with Chicago before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2021. The Bears finished No. 3 in passing defense and No. 6 in total defense in first season in charge.

Desai was not retained by the Bears when head coach Matt Nagy was fired after the season and replaced by Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

The Raiders finished 14th in total defense and 26th in scoring defense in 2021 under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley

–Field Level Media

Jul 29, 2021; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai gestures while walking on the field during a Chicago Bears training camp session at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Bears to get DC Sean Desai back for ‘MNF’

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The Chicago Bears have at least one of their three coordinators back at work Monday for the primetime game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Defensive coordinator Sean Desai has cleared COVID-19 protocols and will coach against the Vikings in their matchup on ‘Monday Night Football.”

Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor remain in the protocols as of Monday morning. If they are not cleared before kickoff, quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo will coach the offense against the Vikings and special teams assistant Brian Ginn will coach that unit, head coach Matt Nagy said Monday.

All three coordinators were placed in protocols last Thursday.

Nagy himself missed Chicago’s Week 8 game against San Francisco after testing positive for COVID-19.

The Bears also have 14 players left in the protocol: Quarterback Andy Dalton, running back Ryan Nall, receivers Allen Robinson II and Isaiah Coulter, tight end Jesse James, tackle Larry Borom, defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., inside linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe, outside linebacker Sam Kamara, cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Artie Burns, safeties Eddie Jackson and Tashaun Gipson Sr. and nickel back Duke Shelley.

–Field Level Media

Jul 29, 2021; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai gestures while walking on the field during a Chicago Bears training camp session at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Bears’ three coordinators in COVID-19 protocols

Posted on | by Field Level Media

All three Chicago Bears’ coordinators are away from the team facility Thursday and in COVID-19 protocols.

Head coach Matt Nagy said offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, defensive coordinator Sean Desai and special teams chief Chris Tabor have been sidelined. Nagy himself missed Chicago’s Week 8 game against San Francisco after testing positive for COVID-19.

None of the assistants have been ruled out for Chicago’s game against visiting Minnesota (6-7) on Monday night. The Bears are 4-9.

Nagy said all meetings will be held virtually Thursday.

In addition to having at least four players on the COVID-19 list, Nagy said the team is battling non-COVID-19 illnesses, too.

–Field Level Media