(670 The Score) Shortly after the Bears' defensive coordinator position opened up following Chuck Pagano's retirement, former Chicago outside linebacker Sam Acho shared his support for Sean Desai to fill the vacancy. That hiring was made official Friday, when the Bears promoted Desai from safeties coach to defensive coordinator.
Acho believes Desai is the best fit for the Bears' defense because he can lead and direct the unit in a manner similar to former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, under whom Chicago has great success.
"Sean Desai has what it takes to be a really, really good defensive coordinator," Acho said on the Bernstein & Rahimi Show on Monday. "Number one, he has the confidence. Before you can be a good coordinator, you have to have the confident in your abilities. He has the confidence, number one. But number two, he also has the abilities. He's been a part of Vic's defense for years. He understands the players. He actually understands how to teach defense, both from the front end with the defensive line perspective and also the back end for the safeties.
"He does have that relationship with the players. He respects those players, the players respect him. So, I think it's going to be a good fit."
Desai, 37, worked six seasons as a defensive quality control coach from 2013-'18 for the Bears before being promoted to safeties coach for the last two seasons.
Acho sees Desai as the type of defensive coordinator who can maximize the strengths of stars like safety Eddie Jackson and pass rusher Khalil Mack, among others.
"That's what Sean Desai is going to do," said Acho, who played for the Bears from 2015-'18. "He's going to find the strengths of the players. That's what Brandon Staley did with the L.A. Rams. That's what great coordinators do. They find the strengths of their players, and they put them in positions to succeed."