As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the 2024 NFL season, the role of defensive coordinator Bobby Babich is set to be pivotal.
This season, Babich is tasked with leading the Bills’ defensive success and driving them toward another strong playoff run.
Everything You Need To Know About Buffalo Bills Defensive Coordinator Bobby Babich
Babich was born in 1984, in Tulsa, Okla. Growing up in a football-oriented family, Babich was immersed in the game from a young age. Bobby’s father was Bob Babich, a former NFL coach who also coached for Buffalo.
The junior Babich played college football at South Dakota State, where he served as a defensive back and played underneath his father, who was the coach at the time.
He led the team in interceptions as a senior and ended his collegiate career having been named academic all-conference twice.
How Long Has Babich Been the Bills’ Defensive Coordinator?
A year after he ended his playing career, Babich began his coaching career at Kent State as a graduate assistant in 2006. One year later, Babich was offered the job as a secondary coach for the Eastern Illinois Panthers.
Babich stayed with Eastern Illinois until 2010 when his NFL journey began. In 2011, the Carolina Panthers hired Babich as an administrative assistant to the coaching staff.
In 2013, Babich moved to Cleveland to serve as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Browns. After his stint with the Browns, Babich went back to his college coaching days, accepting a role with the FIU Panthers as the secondary coach and defensive pass game coordinator.
It was after FIU that Babich finally made his stop in Buffalo. In 2017, Babich was hired by the Bills as an assistant defensive backs coach under Sean McDermott, joining his father who was also on the team’s staff.
READ MORE: List of Current NFL Defensive Coordinators
In 2018, he received a promotion to safeties coach and then to linebackers coach in 2022, replacing his father who had retired.
Following the 2023 season, Babich received plenty of interest in defensive coordinator roles from around the league, but the Bills had also offered him the role, which he accepted.
Who Was the Defensive Coordinator Before Babich?
Before Babich’s promotion, the defensive coordinator role was held by Leslie Frazier. Frazier’s tenure with the Bills was marked by significant defensive improvements and strong overall performances.
His decision to step away from the role opened the door for Babich’s advancement, allowing him to build upon the foundation Frazier had established.
As the Bills aim to build on their recent successes and make a strong push in the playoffs, Babich’s role will be crucial in shaping the defensive game plan and driving the team’s performance.
With his leadership, the Bills’ defense is poised to remain a pivotal asset in their quest for the Lombardi Trophy.