With their 2023 season now in the rearview, the Miami Dolphins are interviewing candidates for their defensive coordinator role, which was left open after the team mutually parted ways with Vic Fangio.
To this point, there have only been two known coaches who will interview for the job – Brandon Staley and Bobby Babich
Before Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier and Stephen Ross make a decision on who will run the defense, let’s take some time to get to know Babich.
Coaching history
- Buffalo Bills LB coach (2022-present)
- Buffalo Bills S coach (2018-21)
- Buffalo Bills assistant DB coach (2017)
- FIU secondary coach/defensive pass game coordinator (2016)
- Cleveland Browns assistant DB coach (2013-14)
- Carolina Panthers defensive assistant (2012)
- Carolina Panthers admin assistant (2011)
- Eastern Illinois secondary coach (2007-10)
- Kent State graduate assistant (2006)
Connection with Mike McDaniel
While they may coach on different sides of the ball, McDaniel and Babich did have a season (2014) that they both spent with the Cleveland Browns.
At the time, both coaches were 31 years old, working on Mike Pettine’s staff. Even if their work took up most of their time, it’s fair to assume they spent some time together during that year.
Getting the most out of players
Babich has worked with some of Buffalo’s best players and has seemingly got the best out of them. Over the last two seasons, he’s worked with Matt Milano, Tremaine Edmunds, Terrel Bernard, Tyrel Dodson and Dorian Williams. With all of the injuries they had at linebacker this year, he had the next guys ready to go when they were asked to step up.
In his time with the safeties, he coached Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer – one of the league’s best duos in the back end.
Believing in what he sees
A great clip of Bills LB Coach Bobby Babich, who the Dolphins put in a request to interview for DC.
Buffalo’s LB group has been a consistently strong unit, and this mindset is a reason why.
Tape > everything else. Babich outlines that perfectly here. pic.twitter.com/yNHEpV2s9F
— Tyler DeSena (@DeSenaSports) January 26, 2024
