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Get to know the Browns defensive coordinator candidates

By Joel W. Cade

Jan 9, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores watches from the sideline during the second quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores watches from the sideline during the second quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
September 18, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks associate head coach – defense Sean Desai before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Sean Desai – Dr. Defense

If you are like me, when you heard the name Sean Desai, you said “who?”. The first time the Browns interviewed Kevin Stefanski, I thought the same thing. Who? Stefanski went on to be the NFL coach of the year in his first season.

The Browns may have found another Kevin Stefanski in Sean Desai. Desai is currently the Associate head coach/defensive assistant for the Seattle Seahawks. But his journey there is a remarkable one.

Desai got his undergraduate degree in philosophy and political science. He went on to get a master’s degree in higher and post-secondary education from Columbia, which make him an Ivy Leaguer. He further earned a doctorate in educational administration from Temple. After getting all those degrees, he decided to take up a career in coaching football.

From there he coached in the college ranks before being hired to coach with the Chicago Bears under Marc Trestman in 2013. He was retained by John Fox in 2015. He was retained by Matt Nagy in 2018.

In 2018, Vic Fangio then defensive coordinator for the Bears, became the Denver Broncos head coach. The Bears liked Desai so much, they refused to give Denver permission to interview Desai. Instead, they kept him on, and he eventually became the Bears’ defensive coordinator in 2021. But he was let go after then-head coach Matt Nagy was fired.

He was then hired by the Seattle Seahawks as an associate defensive head coach. During his time in Seattle, he learned the cover 3 defense the Browns currently employ.  He has been a favorite of players every step of his journey.

Desai has the right scheme, the right educational background and he was the first defensive coordinator of Indian descent in the NFL. All in all, he sounds exactly like a guy the Browns would hire.

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