Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
The Jacksonville Jaguars decided to clean house, after a 2-14 season, in 2012. Along with this movement, came the addition of new head coach Gus Bradley.
Some Jaguar fans may have been wondering, who exactly is Bradley?
Many fans are already aware of the fact that Bradley was the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, from 2009 to 2012. Bradley managed to develop the Seahawks defensive unit into one of the best in the NFL. Bradley was able to utilize large and physical defensive backs, along with his under front in the front seven, to create a dominant defense.
Yet, how did Bradley make it to the league?
Bradley began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at North Dakota State University where he previously played safety and punter for the Bison.
He later became the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Fort Lewis College. He held this position with the team from 1992 to 1995.
In 1996, he returned to his alma mater, North Dakota State, as the defensive coordinator. He lead the defense for the school until 2005.
By 2006, Bradley had finally gotten his break in the league, as the linebackers coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and moved on to the Seahawks by the 2009 season.
Fans in Jacksonville are hoping that Bradley and defensive coordinator, Bob Babich, can improve the relatively weak defense of the Jaguars. While many other teams in the AFC South, appear to be on an ascending path, Jacksonville has been trending downward. The Jaguars’ management has entrusted Bradley with energizing a struggling franchise, and Bradley appears to be up to the task.
