(670 The Score) When Bill Shuey joined the Bears as a defensive quality control coach three years ago, he initially shared an office at Halas Hall with a peer at his position.
On the other side of Shuey's cubicle wall was Sean Desai, who was then a 34-year-old defensive quality control coach with high aspirations. The Bears hired Shuey late in the coaching cycle and after new head coach Matt Nagy had begun the self-evaluation process with his staff, so Shuey relied on Desai to help him catch up.
An assistant with the Bears since 2013, Desai knew every detail and concept of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's defense and would constantly peek over the cubicle to share his knowledge with Shuey. It was then that Shuey realized Desai was bound for greater heights on the coaching ladder.
"The way his mind was organized and his ability to be able to explain those things, that gave him a shot," Shuey said. "I knew he aspired to have that opportunity. He was a sponge."
Desai, now 38, was promoted to Bears defensive coordinator in January, replacing the retired Chuck Pagano with the team hoping he can help revive its defense. Desai was there for Chicago's bottoming out with Mel Tucker as defensive coordinator from 2013-'14, the rebirth under Fangio from 2015-'18 and the regression under Pagano in 2019-'20.
Desai understands the Bears' defensive personnel and what can make it successful. And while he holds a doctorate in educational administration, Desai keeps it simple as defensive coordinator. He aims to scheme to his players' strengths while striving for dominance.
"I want this defense to be palpable," Desai said. "I want people around the city and around the country and world that’s watching this defense, whether it’s live or on tape, to make sure they know the type of defense we are."
Desai's first step was getting his new-look defensive staff on the same page after an offseason of turnover. Shuey is now the new outside linebackers coach. Bill McGovern was brought in as inside linebackers coach. Chris Rumph was hired as the defensive line coach. Mike Adams, a 16-year NFL veteran safety, took Desai's former role as assistant defensive backs coach.
Only secondary coach Deshea Townsend remained in his previous position. Since the defensive staff was formed, Desai has been helping his assistants understand their players and what the Bears have.
Rumph needs to recognize what makes Akiem Hicks his best on the defensive line. McGovern' task is to help Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan play off each other at inside linebacker. Shuey's challenges are to maximize Khalil Mack and make Robert Quinn effective off the edges.
Ultimately, the goal is to understand how the Bears can put their best players in the best position to succeed and create a disruptive defense once again.
"You want to have a defense that can control the game," said McGovern, who worked with Desai at Boston College in 2012. "You want a defense that’s going to go out and make plays and create situations that are advantageous to us on the defensive side of the ball.
"That’s what we’re trying to do -- trying to figure out what our guys do best, how they do it best and try to put those guys in the situations to have success."
Just as he helped Shuey in 2018, Desai is now guiding his coaching staff forward to better understand his scheme and the players. Through countless hours of meetings in the last four months, Desai has the Bears rebuilding their defensive philosophy. Soon, they will bring it to the back fields at Halas Hall and put their defense in action.
Desai plans to take lessons learned from Tucker, Fangio and Pagano as he formulates his approach. But it was Fangio who served as his greatest mentor in the profession, as the veteran defensive mastermind took a liking to the driven young coach.
Fangio built the NFL's top defense in 2018, when he dialed up pressure on quarterbacks with a relentless defensive front, which created opportunities for the secondary. Fangio's scheme allowed the Bears to work in harmony.
The Bears' defense has regressed since that season, and it's Desai's job to help lift it back to prominence. He's already putting his own stamp on the defense.
"Whether you’re a football fan or not, you’re going to feel this defense, physically and emotionally," Desai said.
"That’s something we’re hoping to hang our hats on."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.