JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gus Bradley made a tough decision on Tuesday, firing long-time friend, mentor and former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Bob Babich after building the team's defense together for three seasons.
While it seemed predictable to outsiders that Bradley would need to make some moves on defense, Babich included, the choice wasn't a "home run" for the loyal head coach.
Bradley spent the earlier parts of the week interviewing the coaching staff and players, feeling out the vibe of his group that he has worked so hard to keep together. However, much like he did with former offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch last offseason, Bradley decided to move on from Babich and make way for some new energy in the building.
"It's tough," said Bradley, regarding the decision. "Just like you'd imagine, [he was] very classy. The conversation was not a short conversation, it was a long conversation. Bob Babich is very well thought of in this building and with the players. It was a tough time on the rest of the coaches, it's a tough time on the players, because of how respected he is and what he brought. I can't begin to tell you how difficult of a discussion it was."
The pair of coaches had previously worked together at North Dakota State University where Bradley worked under Babich as a defensive assistant. With the tables turned and their defense regressing, Bradley stayed true to his word when it came to doing what was right for his team.
"I comeback to this was my choice," said Bradley. "In my evaluation, we talked about that everything counts and everything is evaluated. I just felt that at this time, [Babich's firing] needed to take place. I think there are conversations we have each year or even semi-annually through the year, we talk as a staff about what areas they can improve on and how we can get better. It's not just the players, it's the coaches as well."
With Babich out, the search is on for a new defensive coordinator. The process will involve "due diligence" as Bradley plans to discuss the position with various candidates. The eventual hire will likely play a key role in who stays and who goes on the incumbent defensive staff.
"I think that we're constantly evaluating as we go through this process with the search for the coordinator and I can't say that there might be some re-assignments or things like that or it might stay as is, with the position coaches," said Bradley. "I think the conversations that I have in the search with different people and what's their plan and how they see it [will impact changes]. Again, I think we're open. I have a pretty good idea, had extensive meetings yesterday and I thought [they were] pretty good meetings with our coaches. We'll just go through the process and see how it works out."
Bradley admitted that there won't be any radical changes in scheme with whomever he hires but that he is remaining open-minded as he conducts the search. He also didn't rule out the new coordinator calling plays.
"I think as we put this together, we'll have a better idea about [play-calling responsibility]," said Bradley. "[There are] multiple scenarios that could take place, so it's definitely a possibility, a strong possibility that the defensive coordinator could call plays."
As of Wednesday, Bradley said he hadn't reached out to the league for permission to talk to position coaches from other teams. He claimed that he is still in the early process of finding his new co-pilot on defense.
Part of the criteria for the search may come from discussions Bradley had during exit interviews with his players.
"It was great," said Bradley. "I think sometimes you have to be careful as a coach when you talk to players. Sometimes players are emotional, sometimes players, they have the last game in mind, so I don't solely make decisions on what the players say. Fortunately, our players weren't emotional and they were very supportive of what's going on and they believe in it, they believe in the system, they believe in the coaches and there's a lot of positives that came out of [the discussions]."
Now Bradley will have to find a defensive coordinator that believes in the system enough to potentially take a one-year deal due the adversity that has faced the staff over the last three seasons.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.
