Bobby Babich takes the reins of the Bills defense

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills’ spring training in OTAs isn’t just for players to get up to speed — coaches have work to do, too. New defensive coordinator Bobby Babich is getting used to his new role after years as coach.

Head coach Sean McDermott promoted Babich, 40, to defensive coordinator after serving as the Bills’ linebackers and safeties coach. It’s a promotion he’s been waiting for, even though he held talks with other NFL teams after the season.

“Obviously it ended up exactly where I thought it would if you asked me, and I couldn’t be happier. I couldn’t be happier,” Babich said before the team’s voluntary workout. Tuesday.

Babich takes over 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. Regardless, Babich believes he did everything he could to pursue this opportunity, even though he never called it quits to play in the NFL himself.

“You’re constantly trying to prepare for when you’re in this position,” he said. “But until you actually do something, you’re never ready. I don’t have the ego to sit here and say I’m ready for this, that and the other .I’m vulnerable enough to say that I’m as prepared as I can be. I’m going to continue to learn every day. I have a great mentor on the floor who I’ve been with for many years. press.

Babich said he would be foolish not to lean on McDermott, whom he considers a mentor.

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

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

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