7 Realistic Defensive Coordinator Candidates the Eagles Can Target After Firing Sean Desai
A move that had been speculated for weeks has occurred, as Ian Rapoport reported that Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has fired defensive coordinator Sean Desai.
The Eagles ended the season with six losses in their last seven games, losing by an average of 15 points. Their only win since Week 12 was against the Giants, where they almost squandered a 17-point lead.
Desai had his playcalling responsibilities revoked before Week 15, and this decision follows Philadelphia’s second-half collapse, culminating in a 32-9 defeat to the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Monday night.
Now that the move has been confirmed, we’re examining seven potential replacements for Sean Desai and Matt Patricia.
Wink Martindale
As the Ravens’ defensive coordinator from 2018-21, he oversaw three top-10 units and helped Baltimore win the Super Bowl as a linebackers coach.
Philadelphia needs a cultural shift, and Martindale’s aggressive, pressure-focused approach could be the solution.
Leslie Frazier, ex-Bills defensive coordinator
Frazier was a finalist for the Giants’ head coaching position, which ultimately went to Brian Daboll, and he found success as the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.
His Bills defense ranked in the top five in each of his final three seasons.
Jesse Minter
Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter observes warm-ups before the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Age: 40 years old
Current Title:Defensive Coordinator, Michigan (2022-present)
Previous Experience: Baltimore Ravens defensive backs coach (2020) and Vanderbilt defensive coordinator/safeties coach (2021)
2023 DC Interview:** Philadelphia Eagles
Minter, who interviewed for the Eagles’ defensive coordinator position last offseason, is known for his effective pressure packages.
In 2023, Minter led Michigan’s defense to the top ranking in college football, finishing first in both scoring defense and yards allowed. He is considered one of the elite defensive coordinators in the college game.
Glenn Schumann
Schumann is the co-defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs and calls the plays for the two-time defending champions.
Eric Washington
Washington joined the Bills in 2020 as the defensive line coach and was promoted to senior defensive assistant/defensive line coach before the 2022 season. Prior to this, he served as the defensive line coach (2011-17) and defensive coordinator (2018-19) for the Panthers, and held various positions with the Bears.
In 2021, Buffalo’s defense ranked first in the NFL for the fewest points allowed per game (17.0) for the first time in franchise history. They also finished first in fewest yards allowed per game (272.8) and fewest passing yards per game (163.0). With 19 sacks, Buffalo’s defense propelled a four-game winning streak to close the regular season.
Under Washington’s leadership, after taking over for Sean McDermott, Carolina’s defense ranked second in sacks and fifth in quarterback hits.
Ejiro Evero, Panthers defensive coordinator
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 25: Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero watches during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium on August 25, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) Despite Carolina being the worst team in the league in 2023, Evero transformed the Panthers’ defense into a solid unit. This season, his defense ranks third in the league in passing yards allowed, sixth in passing touchdowns allowed, and third in total yards allowed. This success continues from his time as the defensive coordinator in Denver in 2022, where his unit ranked seventh in total yards allowed.
Evero, 43, led the Broncos’ top-10 defense during the 2022 NFL season, even while supporting one of the league’s weakest offenses.
Chris Shula, Rams pass game coordinator/linebackers coach
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebackers coach Chris Shula against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Shula, the son of former Bengals head coach David Shula and the grandson of Don Shula, has been part of the Rams organization since 2017. He initially served as the linebackers coach before assuming roles as the defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator in 2022.
He and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni were both part of the Chargers staff in 2015 and 2016.
Wild Card–Jim Leonhard
Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Jim Leonhard prior to the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Current Position: Senior football analyst, Illinois (2023)
Previous Experience: Wisconsin defensive backs coach (2016), Wisconsin defensive coordinator & defensive backs coach (2017-2022), and Wisconsin interim head coach (2022).
Leonard was considered for a position with the Eagles last offseason but ultimately chose not to pursue the opportunity.
Wild Card–Al Harris
A former NFL defensive back who started his career with the Eagles from 1998-2002, Harris has thrived since taking on the role of defensive backs coach for the Cowboys in 2020.
During this time, Harris has mentored and nurtured players such as Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jayron Kearse, and others.
