It’s becoming clear that the Chicago Bears have become a team that wants to present opportunity. Not only to players but also to coaches. Since GM Ryan Pace took over in 2015, two coordinators for the team have gone on to be head coaches while several players earned long-term extensions after strong seasons including Charles Leno Jr., Akiem Hicks, Kyle Long, Kyle Fuller, and Eddie Goldman.
Since Matt Nagy took over as head coach for the team last year, it’s become apparent he wishes to install a system the rewards his own as well. Already he promoted two coaching interns to full-time assistant jobs this offseason. Now it appears he’s aiming to do so again with two quality control coaches earning higher positions as well. One is Bill Shuey who joined the team last year as a quality control coach.
He takes over as a passing game analyst and assistant linebackers coach. The better story though is that of Sean Desai. Not only does he have the highest education of any Bears coach on the staff, but he’s also its biggest survivor.
Sean Desai survived two previous Chicago Bears head coach firings
Many people don’t know the name these days because Desai has hovered in the background for so many years. They’d struggle to believe that he was brought in by none other than Marc Trestman way back in 2013. Over that span, he somehow managed to retain his position through not only Trestman’s firing but John Fox’s as well. That is how respected he was by the players.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Now he finally got his due with a promotion to safeties coach.
“Deshea Townsend, hired Jan. 18, now will carry the title of secondary coach. Sean Desai and Bill Shuey earned promotions from defensive quality control coaches to safeties coach and defensive pass analyst/assistant linebackers coach, respectively.”
This move demonstrates a large degree of trust from the Bears.
That’s because Desai takes over the development of their budding superstar safety Eddie Jackson. Then again it’s not unfamiliar territory. As a quality control coach, Desai worked primarily with the defensive backs during his run in Chicago. So Jackson, Fuller, Prince Amukamara, and Adrian Amos all know him well. He’s been there since all of them were drafted.
Considering this was a man who once upon a time got fired by the same head coach in a span of three years, this is a major career milestone for one of the rare NFL members to be of Indian descent. Here’s hoping that perseverance continues to pay off.
