×

Report: Bradley on his way to UCLA

Tom Bradley has spent his entire life in this region – growing up in Johnstown, attending and working at Penn State for decades and most recently working at West Virginia – but he’s reportedly getting set for a very different way of life.

Bradley is in line to become the next defensive coordinator at UCLA, according to published reports Thursday. The move to Los Angeles would take Bradley 2,580 miles away from where he spent most of his adult life in State College.

Bruin Report Online first reported the news that Bradley is the leading candidate for the UCLA job. Bruce Feldman from FOXSports.com later reported Bradley is “close to being hired” for the post.

There was no confirmation about the move as of late Thursday.

Bradley played at Penn State from 1975-78 before beginning his coaching career there in 1979. He served as the Nittany Lions’ defensive coordinator from 2000-11 and was the interim head coach for the final four games of 2011 after Joe Paterno was fired in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

Bradley was out of coaching for two years before spending last season as defensive line and associate head coach at West Virginia.

Penn State consistently ranked among the nation’s best defenses when Bradley was the coordinator, and he received heavy praise for his work for years.

UCLA is looking for a new defensive coordinator after Jeff Ulbrich left the job to become linebackers coach for the Atlanta Falcons.

The Bruins are coached by Jim Mora and went 10-3 last year, ranking 10th in the AP poll and 14th in the college football playoff. Their defense ranked 77th in the nation in points allowed at 28.1 per game.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today