Des' intense privateness doesn't seem to be about fear or defensiveness, but about a realisation that exposing it carries risks and serves no positive purpose, whereas his deflections are directed to shift focus where it helps. He's simply not driven by an ego that needs others to approve and applaud.
His views on issues like understatement (letting actions speak louder), his consumption in wanting others to succeed, about always listening to and learning from the players and others, faith in others, about commitment (personal responsibility) and respect (respecting others' rights to their own beliefs), etc reveal a deep thinker and the way they are integrated into his actions and being reveal an emotionally mature man.