FIU Athletics

Bobby Babich enters his first season on the Panthers' staff as the team's defensive coordinator/linebackers coach after beginning the season as secondary coach and defensive pass-game coordinator.
 
Babich comes to FIU with a decade of experience, including five years in the NFL.
 
Following a brief stint at Edinboro University (defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach in 2016), Babich served as the assistant secondary coach for the Cleveland Browns the last three years, working with the safeties. During that time, he worked with the likes of All-Pros Joe Haden and T.J. Ward, along with Tashaun Gibson and Donte Whitner.
 
Before joining the Browns, Babich spent two seasons with the Carolina Panthers as a defensive assistant (2012) and administrative assistant for the coaching staff (2011). He assisted with day-to-day operations and worked with the nickelbacks. 
 
Prior to joining the Panthers, Babich served as secondary coach at Eastern Illinois University from 2007-10. In 2009, Babich's secondary was instrumental in helping the Panthers rank in the top 20 nationally in takeaways as Rashad Haynes and C.J. James each earned All-Ohio Valley Conference honors. 
 
Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Babich began his coaching career in 2006 as a graduate assistant at Kent State. He worked with a secondary that featured future NFL Draft picks Usama Young (2007 third round, New Orleans) and Jack Williams (2008 fourth round, Denver).
 
Babich was a four-year letterman as a cornerback at North Dakota State. He was a two-time academic all-conference honoree and led the team in interceptions as a senior.  His father, Bob, has coached in the NFL since 2003 and is currently the linebackers coach for the San Diego Chargers after serving the last three years as the defensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Babich and his wife Lacey have two children - daughter Lainey and son Bray.