In the coming days we will be taking a look at some potential candidates to become the next full-time head coach at Penn State. We begin our look by examining the current interim head coach, Tom Bradley.
Through no fault of his own, Bradley's biggest setback is his affiliation with the university. Bradley played for Joe Paterno as a defensive back and went directly to become a member of the coaching staff by working his way up as a graduate assistant all the way through the ranks to be named the interim head coach following the removal of Paterno.
As a defensive coordinator Bradley certainly had a strong pedigree. Coaches By The Numbers ranks Bradley as the fifth defensive coordinator in college football and few would argue that Bradley had strong recruiting ties in western Pennsylvania. His father played basketball for the University of Pittsburgh and his older brother played for and was a captain at Penn State. Simply put, Bradley has very strong ties in Pennsylvania.
Unfortunately for Bradley, Penn State is in a position of needing to clean house and distancing the university as far from anybody associated with the Jerry Sandusky scandal. While Bradley has not been tied to the investigation to this point, the university board of trustees is already working to get a fresh start from an administrative standpoint. Graham Spanier was removed as president and Paterno was removed as head coach. Athletics director Tim Curley will be next.
The common belief is that the football program will usher in a new face, and possibly one without Penn State ties. Asked if Bradley has thought about his position the interim head coach has continued to say he has a job to do now and that is all he is focusing on.
Bradley has been interviewed for head coaching opportunities before by Pittsburgh and many feel that he will have a head coaching future somewhere when the right opportunity comes along. There is a slight chance that Penn State may be that opportunity, especially if a thorough background check reveals that Bradley indeed has no ties to the Sandusky scandal. In the current state of the program it could benefit Penn State to have a guy leading the football program who genuinely understands the philosophy of the program, even if it has been tarnished by devious acts behind the scenes.
No coaching candidate out there, with the possible exception of Miami head coach Al Golden, understands the football program the way Bradley does. If he can find a way to secure a Big Ten championship and finish the job started by Paterno this season, then whoever is making the hiring decisions would be remised not to give their own a hard look.
Pros
- Penn State guy, knows program
- Strong recruiter
- In-house stability
- Defensive minded
Cons
- Too close to current regime
- No head coaching experience
- Limited, at best, offensive experience
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