Bobby Babich has made quite the impression with the players he’s coached since joining the Bills staff in 2017.
“Bobby’s a go-getter,” safety Micah Hyde said before the season ended. “He’s always yelling. High-energy guy and I think people love that. People love that he’s like that and he’s always going to bring the juice. A lot of people joke around and be like that’s fake juice. No, literally Bobby wakes up every single day and he’s ready to go and I think he delivers that to his players and his players play that same way.”
“His juice level is always on 100,000,” defensive back Cam Lewis added. “It’s contagious.”
“Bobby, he’s fiery,” middle linebacker Terrel Bernard said. “I think that’s the word I would use. He’s probably one of the most consistent people I’ve ever met in my life. Every day he’s got the same energy. The same juice. I think a lot of guys respect that. It’s hard to come in here and be the same person every single day and that’s one thing that Bobby is, for sure.”
Babich first was the Bills safeties coach for five seasons before sliding over to coach the linebackers beginning in 2022.
Now he’s been promoted as the team’s defensive coordinator.
His elevation comes after helping Hyde and Jordan Poyer earn All-Pro honors under his guidance.
Matt Milano was named a 1st team All-Pro last season, the first with Babich coaching him at linebacker.
Bernard became just the 4th player in NFL history to record 6+ sacks, 3+ interceptions, and 3+ fumble recoveries in a single season – which was his first as the Bills starting middle linebacker.
His approach might come with a lot of personality, but also a serious ability to communicate deep football knowledge.
“Very detailed,” Hyde said. “Very detailed each and every day. When the gameplan’s put in place, he knows the defense better than anybody in this building. Once the gameplan’s in he’s just very detailed in giving it in his delivery. Even in practice and watching film, he’s very detail-oriented in where you should be, where your alignment is, what your assignment is, and from there you’re able to make plays.”
“I feel like his attention to detail and just his knowledge of the game and knowledge of the defense and how he sees other team’s offense, I feel like it’s beneficial for us obviously as a linebacking group, but as an entire defense,” Bernard said. “I can’t say enough good things about him. I feel like he’s helped me change my game since I’ve been here.”
Fellow linebacker Tyrel Dodson going to social media to give his praise for Babich after his promotion was announced.
“Best coach I’ve ever had hands down,” Dodson posted on X. “Believed in me before everyone else did. Rose the bar for myself. I’m not surprised one bit. You not only earned this, but much deserved!! Love!!!”
The question now is whether or not Babich will be the defensive playcaller or if Sean McDermott will retain those responsibilities as he did this past season.
Either way, making Babich the DC keeps him with the Bills after reportedly interviewing for that position with a few other teams over the past few weeks.