Nov. 9, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - As announced by The Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees Wednesday night, Tom Bradley will assume head coaching duties for the Penn State football team for the remainder of the 2011 season, replacing long-time head coach Joe Paterno.
In his 33rd season on the staff and 12th supervising one of the nation's top defenses, Bradley has played a large role in the success of the defense and recruiting efforts during his tenure. This season, the Penn State defense ranks in the Top 25 nationally in all six primary categories. Penn State is third in scoring defense (12.4 ppg), eighth in the nation in total defense (282.3 ypg), third in pass efficiency defense (96.4) and 7th in pass defense (170.4 ypg).
Bradley has helped develop four All-Americans in the secondary. In addition to the defensive backs, Bradley also has coached five other positions, including outside linebackers and defensive ends, coordinated the special teams and served as recruiting coordinator, bringing numerous prep standouts to Penn State throughout his tenure. Shane Conlan, O.J. McDuffie, Kim Herring, David Macklin, Bryan Scott, Alan Zemaitis, Justin King, Lydell Sargeant and D'Anton Lynn are among the standouts he has coached.
Bradley was a member of the Penn State football team, earning letters in 1977 and `78. He earned his degree in business in 1979 and a Master's in sports administration from Penn State in 1986. Bradley was a Penn State graduate assistant in 1979 and became a full-time staff member in 1980. He is a graduate of Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, Pa.
-NITTANY LIONS-