| Carolina Panthers | |
| Date of birth: | March 21, 1974 |
| Place of birth: | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| Status: | Active |
| Position(s): | Defensive coordinator |
| College: | William and Mary |
| Organizations | |
| As coach: | |
| 1998 1999-2000 2001 2002-03 2004-06 2007 2008 2009-2010 2011–present |
William and Mary (Graduate Assistant) Philadelphia Eagles (Scouting Administrative Coordinator) Philadelphia Eagles (Assistant to the Head Coach) Philadelphia Eagles (Defensive Assistant/Quality Control) Philadelphia Eagles (Assistant Defensive Backs Coach) Philadelphia Eagles (Secondary Coach/Safeties) Philadelphia Eagles (Linebackers Coach) Philadelphia Eagles (Secondary Coach) Philadelphia Eagles (Defensive Coordinator) Carolina Panthers (Defensive Coordinator) |
Sean McDermott (born March 21, 1974) is an American football defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He served as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles from 2009–2010, a position he took over shortly before his predecessor, Jim Johnson, died of cancer. Considered one of the most promising young defensive coaches in the National Football League, McDermott reportedly drew interest for the defensive coordinator jobs of the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers before his promotion with the Eagles.[1] He was fired by the Eagles on January 15, 2011 following the 2010 season.
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McDermott is a 1993 graduate of La Salle College High School, where he was named All-Southeastern Pennsylvania at defensive back in 1992. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in finance while at the College of William and Mary, where he was an all-conference safety (1997), and also receiving Academic all-conference honors in 1996 and 1997, and NSCA Strength and Conditioning All-America accolades. Sean played safety alongside future All Pro NFL safety, Darren Sharper.
McDermott originally joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998 as a scouting administrative coordinator, a position he held until being promoted to assistant to the head coach in 1999. He then became defensive quality control coach and later assistant defensive backs coach. In 2003 he replaced Steve Spagnuolo as defensive backs coach, as Spagnuolo was assigned linebackers coach. In 2004, McDermott saw both of his starting safeties (Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis) earn Pro Bowl berths for the first time in team history. Under McDermott's watch, Dawkins went on to earn two more Pro Bowl berths following the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
In 2007, McDermott was assigned linebackers coach, after Spagnuolo had left to take the defensive coordinator job for the New York Giants. On January 28, 2008, Eagles head coach Andy Reid named McDermott secondary coach again.
On May 18, 2009, McDermott was named the interim defensive coordinator as a result of defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's medical leave of absence. On July 24, 2009, due to the continuing decline of Johnson, the Eagles announced McDermott would take over as full time defensive coordinator. Johnson died on July 28, 2009. McDermott implemented a variety of blitzes in his defense, thanks in part to his mentor, former Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.
McDermott was fired as the defensive coordinator on January 15, 2011.[2]
McDermott was hired as the defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers on January 17, 2011.
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Leslie Frazier |
Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach 2003–2006 |
Succeeded by John Harbaugh |
| Preceded by Steve Spagnuolo |
Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach 2007 |
Succeeded by Bill Shuey |
| Preceded by John Harbaugh |
Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach 2008 |
Succeeded by Brian Stewart |
| Preceded by Jim Johnson |
Philadelphia Eagles Defensive coordinator 2009–2010 |
Succeeded by Juan Castillo |
| Preceded by Ron Meeks |
Carolina Panthers Defensive coordinator 2011–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |