ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Spring practice for the Buffalo Bills at OTAs isn’t just for the players to get up to speed — the coaches have work to do too. New defensive coordinator Bobby Babich is getting acclimated to his new role after years as a position coach.

Head Coach Sean McDermott promoted Babich, 40, to defensive coordinator following his stints coaching the Bills linebackers and safeties. It’s a promotion he was waiting for, even as he had interviews with other NFL teams after the season.

"Obviously, ended up exactly probably where I thought it would play out if you were going to ask me, and couldn’t be happier. Couldn’t be happier," Babich said prior to Tuesday's voluntary practice. 

Babich takes over the position from his own head coach, and it remains to be seen who will end up calling the defensive plays on game days: Babich or McDermott. Either way, Babich feels he’s done all he can to take on the opportunity despite having never called plays himself in the NFL. 

"You’re constantly trying to prepare yourself for when you get into this position," he said. "But until you actually do something, you are never ready. I don’t have the ego to sit up here and say I’m ready this, that and the other. I’m vulnerable enough to say that I’m as prepared as I can possibly be. I’m going to continue to learn every day. I’ve got a great mentor upstairs who I’ve been with for a multitude of years who I can lean on."

Babich said he'd be a fool not to lean on McDermott, whom he considers a mentor. 

In addition to learning from McDermott, Babich can also lean on his father, retired former Bills assistant coach Bob Babich.

Bobby said his dad stopped by practice recently, and later when they got in the car together, the elder Babich had a few notes to give his son.

He’ll need all the help he can get as he jumps into his first season as a coordinator.