It has been just over seven weeks after the Seattle Seahawks’ 2024 season concluded, and while there have been few roster moves, there have been numerous coaching changes. Specifically, the Hawks replaced offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb with Klint Kubiak, who has immediately hired assistants to help install and execute his system.
However, the Seahawks aren’t the only team hoping for significant improvement from coaching changes. The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly hiring one of Pete Carroll’s former assistant head coaches to help run the defense of new defensive coordinator Al Golden, signing Sean Desai from the Los Angeles Rams.
At first glance, reports that the Bengals are set to hire Desai appear to indicate that the “Coached with Sean McVay” bullet point on the résumé remains in high demand. However, the links motivating this appointment likely go far further than the fact that Bengals head coach Zac Taylor worked on McVay’s staff with the Rams for two seasons before taking over as Bengals coach in 2019.
From 2006 until 2010, Desai worked as a graduate assistant, outside linebackers coach, and special teams coordinator for the Temple Owls under then-head coach Al Golden. As previously stated, Golden will become the Bengals’ defensive coordinator in 2025 after serving as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator for the previous three seasons.
