PHILADELPHIA (Diya TV) — Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has parted ways with defensive coordinator Sean Desai following a tumultuous season marked by a promising start and a rapid collapse.
Desai, 40, joined the Eagles in his inaugural year with the team and his second season as an NFL defensive coordinator. Despite a 10-1 start during his tenure, consecutive losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys put Desai under the gun. Notably, the Eagles struggled situationally, ranking poorly in third-down, fourth-down, and red-zone defense.
Originally from Connecticut, Desai began his coaching career at Temple University and later entered the NFL with the Chicago Bears. His journey took him to the Seahawks before landing with the Eagles for the 2023 season.
The decision to dismiss Desai comes after a mid-December demotion that saw him relieved of play-calling duties. Coach Nick Sirianni, who recently met with owner Jeffrey Lurie following the disappointing season finish, executed the firing.
Sirianni is reshaping the coaching staff after the Eagles’ 10-1 start unraveled into a 1-6 finish. The team’s defensive struggles prompted significant staff changes, with Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman actively seeking candidates to present to Lurie for a comprehensive staff overhaul.
Desai’s firing marks Sirianni’s first coaching staff decision since becoming the head coach. The move underscores the challenges faced by Sirianni in maintaining a proficient staff for long-term success. The Eagles’ defensive struggles persisted under Desai and continued even after senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia took over play-calling duties.
As the Eagles look forward, Sirianni and Roseman have been reaching out to available coordinators, including former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. The pressure is on Sirianni to make the right hire for the upcoming offseason, as the team seeks to address the defensive shortcomings that marred the 2023 season.
