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 Bill Bradley
Bill Bradley
Position:
Defensive Coordinator
Bill Bradley, who inherited a unit which ranked 105th and 112th nationally in total and scoring defense, respectively, begins his third season as Baylor's defensive coordinator.

BU's defenders have shown marked improvement the past two years, allowing some 72 total yards and 11.4 points fewer than they did in 2003 while producing a dozen All-Big 12 performers.

Bradley's 2005 Baylor defense ranked 13th nationally in pass efficiency defense (106.18), while standing No. 57 in pass (216.3 ypg), No. 63 in total (378.0 ypg), No. 65 in scoring (26.5 ppg) defense and No. 74 against the run (161.7 ypg). The Bears' 2005 defensive marks for total, rush and scoring defense all ranked as the program's lowest since 1995 and eight defenders earned All-Big 12 recognition.

The Baylor pass defense, which ranked 101st among all NCAA I-A programs in 2003, was rated No. 62 after Bradley's first season in Waco.

Bradley joined Guy Morriss' program from the National Football League's New York Jets, where he had spent three years (2001-03) as the team's defensive backs coach. The Jets ranked among the NFL's top 10 in pass defense (2003), twice advanced to the playoffs (2001 and 2002) and won the 2002 AFC East title in his tenure on coach Herman Edwards' staff.

Prior to working for the Jets, Bradley served in the same capacity with the Buffalo Bills from 1998 to 2000. Buffalo led the AFC in pass defense in 1999 and ranked second the following year. 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.

Before moving into the NFL, Bradley served as defensive coordinator for the Canadian Football League'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 secondary coach. He served 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.

Selected in the third round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Bradley went on to earn three All-Pro awards (1971-73) at free safety. In addition, he served as the Eagles' punter and kick returner. Bradley, who led the NFL in interceptions in both 1971 (11) and 1972 (nine), became the first player ever to lead the league in interceptions in consecutive seasons, a feat that has been matched just once since.

One of Morriss' teammates in Philadelphia from 1973 to 1976, Bradley still holds Eagle records for career interception return yardage (536) and club single-season marks for interceptions and return yardage (11 for 249 in 1971), while sharing the team's all-time interception record with Eric Allen (34). He played in 114 NFL games, spending the 1969-76 seasons with the Eagles and the 1977 campaign with both the Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Cardinals.

A native of Palestine, Texas, Bradley was a high school All-America quarterback who led his team to the 1965 state title and went on to a standout college career as a quarterback and defensive back at Texas from 1966 to 1968. He served as a tri-captain of coach Darrell Royal's 1968 Longhorn 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.

Bradley recorded a UT single-game record four interceptions in the Longhorns' 35-14 win over Texas A&M as a senior, a mark that still stands as the best-ever by a SWC performer. He played in the 1969 Hula Bowl, the Coaches All-America Game and the College All-Star Game. Bradley earned UT's 1968 D.H. Byrd Leadership Award.

A member of the Texas High School, University of Texas and Philadelphia Eagles halls of fame, Bradley and his wife, Susan, have two children, Matthew and Carissa.