LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- When the Bears line up their venerable defense to protect the goal line, looking to keep their offense from a score in practice, first-year defensive coordinator Sean Desai watches with an intense look on his face.
The 38-year-old Desai stands with his hands over his knees, constantly barking instructions into his headset. He celebrates with his defenders on stops or points out corrections after a score, treating this daily training camp drill like the fourth quarter of a game at Lambeau Field -- because that's the passion he demands out of the Bears' defense.
Desai wants the players to follow his lead, and so far they all have.
"Everyone just rallies to Sean," safety Eddie Jackson said. "He's a good, genuine dude. I feel like everyone trusts him more when he says something. When he goes out there and calls a play, you don't really second-guess it. It's just him being that backbone."
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When Chuck Pagano announced his retirement in January and the Bears moved on to their third defensive coordinator in four years, Desai's name might have caught some outside of Halas Hall off guard. But those within the Bears organization were well-versed in his background and promise.
Desai joined the Bears in 2013 as a quality control assistant under then-coach Marc Trestman and stayed in that position under the watch of John Fox and Matt Nagy until 2019, when the team promoted him to safeties coach.
With his latest promotion, the Bears believe Desai can recreate the success the unit enjoyed in 2018 under former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, a mentor of his. But Desai doesn't plan to mold himself after Fangio, Pagano or anyone else. He wants to cater his defense to the individual talent -- and in doing so coach for the players.
At the beginning of training camp, Desai brought out a miniature basketball hoop for the Bears to dunk the football in after they forced turnovers. That hoop was quickly broken, so like a wise coordinator, he adapted the game plan and brought out a larger, more durable bucket.
For Desai, it's all about earning the commitment from his players. Of course, that trust seemed to be in place from the start.
"It’s about relationships," Desai said. "You try to be authentic with how you talk to these guys and approach them and then you have to stick to your word. As a leader, I have to stick to my word and hopefully they feel that."
Desai's system will be similar to that of his predecessors, a 3-4 base defense that often features four down rushers. He'll also use many nickel packages. But how he calls the defense will be different.
Desai is setting out to scheme for his best players. He wants to create more one-on-one pass rushing opportunities for Khalil Mack, blitz Robert Quinn from his more comfortable position on the defensive line and shade Jackson over to create more chances to make plays in coverage.
The Bears have bought in.
"He’s done an amazing job," defensive lineman Bilal Nichols said. "Some of the stuff that he comes up with, I sit back, I look at it and I’m like, ‘Wow, how did you come up with that?’ I call him the mastermind because he’s always coming up with crazy schemes and ideas, and I love it."
Added Mack: "His mind is always f---ing going."
Above all, the Bears have faith in Desai because he has been in the organization longer than any other player or coach on staff. He first cut his teeth in a small shared cubicle at Halas Hall and has earned his way to his position leading a proud defense. Always eager to extend his knowledge and share his passion, Desai has been there for new players and coaches who have come through the Bears organization.
The Bears are now ready to follow the coaching, emotion, play-calling and example of Desai.
"I’m proud of Sean and how far he came," Jackson said. "The work he’s put in and just him as a D-coordinator now just sitting and meeting with him and him breaking down coverages or offenses and just knowing the type of plays, the type of scheme that he has in his mind and now for him to be able to put that on display in his own creative ways, it's kind of amazing."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.