A lot of good things are being said about Gus Bradley by players and coaches around the league. Bradley had his second meeting with Eagles executives yesterday (Tuesday) but no announcement has been made as of this writing regarding his future in Philadelphia. Meanwhile the Gus Bus is scheduled for an interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here's a photo from last year of Gus Bradley (center) with his sons Eli and Carter on a Hawaiian fishing trip…
It's tempting to forecast a Gus Bradley deal with the Eagles is imminent.
According to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, Bradley is indeed about to finalize a deal with the Eagles. It is widely believed that Bradley is the Eagles top choice right now to replace Andy Reid.
Bradley landed in Philadelphia at around 2:30 on Tuesday. He flew in on Jeffrey Lurie's plane, another sign of how serious the Eagles are about landing the defensive coordinator. Second interviews are usually used to show the candidate the facilities and for the family of the coach to see the city. If that was indeed the purpose of this meeting, a deal could come together quickly.
Bradley is the first candidate to land a second interview with the team. But the Eagles met with Bradley this past Saturday for just an hour and a half, leading some to believe that Tuesday's meeting was more of a continuation of the first more than it is a second interview.
And the 46-year-old Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator didn’t bring his wife, at least creating the impression there are details to be worked out before he or the Eagles can announce a news conference.
Bradley has no real experience as a head coach save an interim stint on the Division II level with Fort Lewis College.
Bradley was hired by Jim Mora Jr. as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator in 2009 after spending three years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he soaked up the wisdom of living legend Monte Kiffin. Kiffin, 72, recently became defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.
Bradley was a free safety, punter and four-time academic all-North Central Conference selection at North Dakota State (1984-1988) per the Seahawks media guide. The Bisons won the 1988 national championship.
Bradley and his wife Michaela have four children – Carter, Anna, Eli and Ella.
Bradley has emerged as a favorite among fans based mainly on an old video clip in which he rips into the Seahawks' defense during a game, screaming "Do your job!"
Bradley has received strong endorsements from Seattle coach Pete Carroll and current Cowboys defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who worked with him in Tampa Bay from 2006-08.
"He's got a brilliant football mind," Carroll said last week. "He's got a way of reaching people and touching people and getting the best out of them, coaches and players alike. He's got everything that you're looking for."
Bradley just completed his fourth season in Seattle. His defense finished first in the NFL in points allowed (15.3), fourth in yards (306.2) and tied for fourth in takeaways (31).
Bradley met with the Eagles contingent Tuesday afternoon and night. The team said no further updates would be made Tuesday night. So here I sit on a Wednesday morning, waiting somewhat expectantly to see if the Gus Bus keeps on rolling toward Jacksonville—or stays over in Philly.
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Almost lost in the Gus Bus drama is the fact that Andy Reid just announced he'll be calling all the offensive plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.
I wonder how that makes Doug Pederson feel? Andy brought Doug (former QB coach) along with him from the Eagles to become the Chiefs' Offensive Coordinator.
This is a bold move by Andy, and shapes up as a bonus back-drop story for Eagles fans to follow in 2013.
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