March 1, 2004
WACO, Texas - Bill Bradley, a 21-year college and professional football coaching veteran who has been a member of staffs which have guided 15 teams to winning records, has been named Baylor's new defensive coordinator, Bears' head coach Guy Morriss announced today.
"I've known Bill a long time and he brings a very diverse coaching background and outstanding NFL playing credentials to our program," Morriss said. "We believe he will be an outstanding addition to our coaching staff."
Bradley joins Morriss' staff from the NFL's New York Jets, where he spent the past three years (2001-03) as the team's defensive backs coach. The Jets ranked among the NFL's Top 10 in pass defense last season, advanced to the playoffs twice (2001 and 2002) and captured the 2002 AFC East title.
Prior to working for the Jets organization, Bradley served in the same capacity with the Buffalo Bills from 1998 to 2000. Buffalo led the AFC in pass defense during the 1999 season and ranked second in 2000. The Bills, who advanced to the AFC playoffs in both 1998 and 1999, led the NFL in total defense in 1999, and ranked third in that category in 1998 and sixth in 2000.
"I'm thrilled to be coaching with Guy Morriss at Baylor University and look forward to working with his staff and players," Bradley said. "In addition, I'm also excited to get reconnected with all of the high school football coaches and athletic directors throughout Texas."
Before moving into the NFL, Bradley served as the defensive coordinator for the CFL's Toronto Argonauts in 1996 and 1997, helping the team to Grey Cup victories both years. He also served as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach for the CFL's San Antonio Texans (1995) and the Sacramento Gold Miners (1994), worked as the defensive backs coach of the World League's San Antonio Riders (1991-92) and spent three years with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders (1988-90).
Bradley broke into the coaching ranks with the USFL's San Antonio Gunslingers in 1983 as the team's defensive backs coach and personnel assistant, then spent the 1984 campaign as the club's secondary coach. He then moved on to serve as secondary coach of the USFL's Memphis Showboats (1985) and spent a year coaching at the University of Texas (1987) before moving into the CFL in 1988.
An outstanding NFL player, Bradley was selected in the third round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and went on to earn three All-Pro awards (1972-74) as a free safety. In addition, he served as the Eagles' punter and kick returner. Bradley led the NFL in interceptions in 1971 (11) and 1972 (nine) and in the process became the first player ever to lead the league in interceptions in consecutive seasons, a feat that has been matched just once since then.
One of Morriss' teammates in Philadelphia from 1973 to 1976, Bradley still holds Eagle team records for career interception return yardage (536) and club single-season marks for interceptions and return yardage (11 for 249 in 1971), as well as sharing the team's all-time lead in interceptions with Eric Allen (34). He played in 114 NFL games, spending the 1969-76 seasons with the Eagles and the 1977 campaign with the Cardinals.
A native of Palestine, Texas, Bradley was a high school All-America quarterback who went on to a standout college career as a quarterback and defensive back at the University of Texas from 1966 to 1968. He served as a tri-captain of the Longhorns' 1968 team which finished the season 9-1-1, tied for the Southwest Conference championship, was ranked third in the final Associated Press poll and fifth in the season-ending United Press International poll, and beat Tennessee 36-13 in the Cotton Bowl. He had a UT single-game record four interceptions in the Longhorns' 35-14 win over Texas A&M as a senior, a record that still stands today, and he played in both the 1969 Hula Bowl and the Coaches All-America game.
Bradley, a member of the Texas High School, University of Texas and Philadelphia Eagles halls of fame, and his wife, Susan, have two children, Matthew (17) and Carissa (14). Matthew will be a senior at Smithson Valley High School next fall, where he is the quarterback on the school's football team.
He replaces John Goodner, who resigned his position at Baylor Feb. 5.
