Jacksonville Jaguars sack Bob Babich as defensive coordinator

After the Jacksonville Jaguars endured three of the worst seasons defensively in franchise history, the team fired defensive coordinator Bob Babich on Tuesday.

The move was anticipated after coach Gus Bradley and general manager Dave Caldwell said staff changes were coming in the wake of the Jaguars' 5-11 finish this season. No replacement was immediately named to succeed Babich.

In 2015, the Jaguars gave up 448 points, which was one short of the team record set in 2013.

Bradley announced the decision after meeting with his assistants and indicated that he would take a more active role in the defense next seson.

The 54-year-old Babich became the defensive coordinator after Bradley was named Jacksonville head coach in 2013, but the Jaguars ranked 28th, 26th and 31st in the NFL in points allowed each of the past three seasons.

"We'll look at it as we put it all together and see," Bradley said Monday, according to the Florida Times-Union.

Bradley has received a vote of confidence from Jaguars owner Shad Khan despite the team never finishing with more than five wins each of the past three seasons.

Before coming to Jacksonville, Babich spent nine years as a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears and one year as linebackers coach for the St. Louis Rams. From 1997 to 2002, Babich was head coach at North Dakota State and had Bradley on his staff there.