Seahawks hire ex-Bears DC Sean Desai as defensive associate HC

Sean Desai Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks hire former Bears DC Sean Desai as defensive associate head coach

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/11/22

The Seattle Seahawks missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons in 2021 and finished lower than second place in the NFC West for the first time in over a decade. Now, head coach Pete Carroll is looking at potentially a "retooled" staff on defense.

The #Seahawks are hiring former #Bears DC Sean Desai as their associate head coach — defense, source said. At 38 years old, Desai is one of the youngest associate head coaches in the NFL. Pete Carroll made a hard sell as he retooled his defensive staff and Desai lands in Seattle.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 11, 2022

Desai had previously interviewed for the Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator position last week. That job ultimately went to former New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

Desai's coaching career began with five seasons as Temple's defense/special teams coach from 2006 to 2010, and he stayed in the college game for two more years with Miami and Boston College in 2011 and 2012, respectively. He served as the Hurricanes' assistant director of football operations and was the Eagles' running backs/special teams coach.

The 38-year-old then spent six years as the Bears' defensive quality control coach from 2013 to 2018 and was the team's safeties coach in 2019 and 2020. The 2021 campaign was his lone year as Chicago's defensive coordinator.

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