Given the circumstances surrounding the scandal that has caused local and national outrage, it is doubtful that Bradley or anyone else from the current staff will take over the head coach's job on a permanent basis.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Tom Bradley finally got the job he always dreamed of Wednesday night, although under what had to be terrible circumstances for him.
Meeting in executive session, the Penn State board of trustees removed Joe Paterno and named Bradley interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Bradley, a lifelong Penn Stater, is in his 12th season as defensive coordinator of the Nittany Lions and 33rd season overall, all under Paterno. When named defensive coordinator, he replaced Jerry Sandusky, whose indictment on child sexual abuse charges started the dominoes falling and resulted in the ouster of Paterno and university president Graham B. Spanier.
"With respect to coaching matters, acting president Rod Erickson and acting athletic director Mark Sherburne have appointed Tom Bradley as interim head coach," board vice chairman John Surma said Wednesday night at a news conference.
Surma said there was "no change in the status" of receivers coach Mike McQueary at the present time. McQueary was identified as the graduate assistant who, in 2002, allegedly witnessed Sandusky naked in the shower with a 10-year-old boy, and informed Paterno of the incident the following day.
However, neither Paterno nor McQueary notified police, a judgment that has created a firestorm on campus.
Bradley could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
Bradley, 55, interviewed after the 2010 season for the head coaching vacancies at Temple, Pittsburgh, and Connecticut. However, he lost out on all three jobs to Steve Addazio, Todd Graham, and Paul Pasqualoni, respectively.
During his 2010 season-ending news conference, Paterno endorsed Bradley for a head coaching position.
"Tommy does a good job," Paterno said. "He's a good recruiter, a good coach. He's organized. He certainly deserves consideration."
In recent years, Bradley was considered the favorite to become head coach of the Nittany Lions when Paterno retired, at least the favorite among candidates with ties to Penn State.
However, given the circumstances surrounding the scandal that has caused local and national outrage, it is doubtful that Bradley or anyone else from the current staff will take over the head coach's job on a permanent basis.
Bradley graduated from Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown and played for the Nittany Lions from 1975 through 1978. He joined the coaching staff the following year as a graduate assistant.
He has served the team as special-teams coach, recruiting coordinator, and coach of outside linebackers, wide receivers, defensive ends, and defensive backs.
Under Bradley, Penn State has built a defense that is annually among the national leaders in the Football Bowl Subdivision. This season's unit has ranked in the top 10 in allowing passing yards, total yards, and points, and the rush defense is in the top 20.
From 2004 through 2009, the Penn State defense could be found in the top 15 in total yards and points allowed. After an off year in 2010, the unit has been one of the best in the nation this season.
Bradley also was known as a terrific recruiter, particularly in his home area of Western Pennsylvania.