Bradford hired as DB coach

by:GarryP•01/14/16

As had been rumored for several days, USC announced the hire of Ronnie Bradford as defensive backs coach. Bradford has previously worked with new Trojan defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast at Cal and the Kansas City Chiefs. Other candidates who were in the mix for the job included former USC star Tim McDonald and Ashley Ambrose.

Official USC story on Bradford hire:

Ronnie Bradford, a former 10-year NFL defensive back who has 13 years of coaching experience in the NFL and collegiately, has been named the secondary coach at USC, Trojan head coach Clay Helton announced today (Jan. 13).

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Ronnie Bradford to the Trojan Family,” said Helton. “His 17 years of experience in the NFL as both a player and a coach jumped out to us immediately. I am very impressed with his ability to coach technique and fundamentals at the defensive back position. He is a true technician. His energy and personality is infectious and will be valuable in recruiting. There also is a terrific chemistry between Ronnie and our new defensive coordinator, Clancy Pendergast, after having worked together both at the Kansas City Chiefs and at Cal.”

Bradford, 45, spent the past 3 seasons (2013-15) as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at Louisiana Tech.

In 2015, Louisiana Tech cornerback Bryson Abraham ranked 14th nationally in passes defended and he scored 4 defensive TDs, while the Bulldogs blocked 4 kicks, seventh best in the nation. In 2014, Louisiana Tech ranked first nationally in interceptions with 26 and 26th in pass efficiency defense, and also blocked 3 kicks and was 12th in kickoff returns while winning the Conference USA West Division and the Heart of Dallas Bowl. In 2013, the Bulldogs were 13th in interceptions with 18 and 30th in pass efficiency defense while also ranking seventh in punt return defense.

Bradford was the safeties coach for Memphis in 2011.

He was a defensive administrative assistant at California in 2010. The Golden Bears were 13th nationally in sacks, 18th in total defense and 21st in pass defense.

Before coaching in college, Bradford spent 7 years as an NFL assistant, the first 6 (2003-08) with the Denver Broncos and 2009 with the Kansas City Chiefs.

With the Broncos, he was a special teams assistant in 2003, the special teams coach in 2004 through 2006, a defensive backs assistant in 2007 and the defensive backs coach in 2008. As the special teams coach, he worked with kicker Jason Elam, who had the NFL’s third most field goals and points from 2003-06, and as the defensive backs coach, he coached NFL standouts Champ Bailey and Dre Bly.

He was a defensive assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009.

Bradford played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Broncos (1993-95), Arizona Cardinals (1996), Atlanta Falcons (1997-2001) and Minnesota Vikings (2002). In his career, he played in 136 games (99 starts), getting 523 tackles, 14 interceptions (with 1 TD), 70 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. He intercepted a pass in Super Bowl XXXIII as a member of the 1998 NFC titlist Falcons. Bradford was 4-year letterman cornerback (1989-92) at Colorado, starting for 2 seasons and being named All-Big 8 first team as a 1992 senior. As a sophomore, he was a member of the Buffaloes’ 1990 national championship team and his block of Notre Dame’s PAT attempt in the final minutes of the Orange Bowl preserved CU’s 10-9 victory.

He graduated from Colorado in 1995.

He prepped at Adams City High in Commerce City (Colo.).

He was born Oct. 1, 1970. He and his wife, Trish, have 3 children: Tony, Kaylee and Justin.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

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