With the announcement of Tony Gibson as latest defensive coordinator earlier today, there still remains an open assistant job on Dana Holgorsen's Mountaineer football staff. The name that has been on many fans' wish list to be a part of the staff looks to be confirmed soon.
Metronews is reporting that long time Penn State assistant Tom Bradley will be announced as part of the Mountaineer staff next week.
Bradley was an assistant for 33 years under legendary coach Joe Paterno, serving as the defensive coordinator from 2000 through the 2011 season. He also served as the interim head coach when Paterno was relieved of his duties following the Sandusky tragedy. Bradley has coached several positions over the years, but was best known for his work with the linebackers, helping continue the PSU tradition of "Linebacker U."
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With all of the position coaches settled on the defensive side, the guess here is that Bradley would work along side of Gibby with the linebackers or even take the linebackers completely, leaving Gibby free to coordinate (and recruit) without defined position coach duties.
UPDATE: Several outlets are saying that Bradley will be named Associate Head Coach and in charge of Linebackers.
UPDATE II: WVU issued a press release confirming the hire as Senior Associate Head Coach:
"Tom brings numerous years of successful college coaching experience and versatility," Holgorsen said. "He is an excellent defensive teacher, has high energy and intensity and gives us a proven recruiter with regional and national ties. I look forward to Tom joining the Mountaineer family, and I know he will work extremely well with Tony (Gibson), our defense coordinator. The two have known each other for quite some time and share many of the same philosophies. We have put together a strong defensive staff under Tony’s leadership." - Dana Holgorsen, WVUSports.com