Bill Bradley (American football)

William Calvin "Bill" Bradley (born January 24, 1947 in Palestine, Texas) is an American football coach and former defensive back in the National Football League. He played with the Philadelphia Eagles for most of his career. He is currently the secondary coach for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League.

Early years
A native of Palestine, Texas, Bradley was a renowned quarterback at Palestine High School, where his running and passing skills gained him selection as a high school All-American. His remarkable talents, including the reputed ability to pass with either hand, earned him the nickname "Super Bill."

College career
He entered the University of Texas at Austin in 1965 and joined Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, with great expectations and became the starting quarterback in 1966 as a sophomore. While a good running quarterback, he was never able to play up to his vaunted nickname, and eventually he was replaced at quarterback by James Street, who became a legend in his own right, coinciding with Texas's switch to the wishbone formation on offense. After a brief trial at wide receiver, he found his true calling at defensive back.

Bradley recorded a Texas single-game record of four interceptions in the Longhorns' 35-14 win over Texas A&M as a senior, a mark that still stands as the best-ever by a Southwest Conference performer. He played in the 1969 Hula Bowl, the Coaches All-America Game and the College All-Star Game. Bradley earned UT's 1968 D.H. Byrd Leadership Award.

NFL career
Bradley was drafted in the third round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles as a Punter/Player. He went on to earn three All-Pro selections (1971–73) at free safety, including first team All-Pro in 1971 and 1972. In addition, he served as the Eagles' punter, punt returner, and kick returner. As a savvy free safety with great range, Bradley led the NFL in interceptions in both 1971 (11) and 1972 (9), the first player ever to lead the league in interceptions in consecutive seasons, a feat matched only once since. In 1971, he also lead the NFL in yards after an interception with 248. But these achievements did not draw widespread attention, because the Eagle win-lost-tie record for those 2 years was 6-7-1 and 2-11-1. He played his final year as the Eagle free safety in 1976, replaced by John Sanders (American football), ending his career as a punt and kick returner for the St. Louis Cardinals the following year.

Bradley is a member of the Texas High School, University of Texas, Philadelphia Eagles and Texas Sports Halls of Fame.

Coaching career
Bradley's first coaching assignment was as defensive backs coach for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL in 1983-1984,before moving on to the Memphis Showboats with H.C. Pepper Rogers in 1985. Bill then went to his old college The University of Texas as a voluntary asst.coach in 1987 for new head coach David McWilliams(he says that is still his favorite coaching job because he had three hot's and a cot). From 1988 to 1990 he took his coaching expertise North to "O-Canada" to serve as DB coach and 'D'Coordinator For the Calgary Stampeeders under HC Wally Buono. Coach Mike Riley(HC at Oregon State)asked Bill to come coach the Secondary for him in the World Football League(WLAF)as his DB coach from 1991-1993. Coach Bradley then went back to the CFL South and coached with Kay Stephenson for the Sacramento Gold Miners/San Antonio Texans in 1994-1995 as D-Cordinator before moving up into Canada again and helped the Toronto Argonauts win two Grey Cups(The Super Bowl of Canada)in 1996-1997. He moved south and served as defensive backs coach for Wade Phillips,Ted Cottrell and the Buffalo Bills 1998-2000 before moving to the J-e-t-s Jets,Jets,Jets with Herman Edward,Ted Cottrell 2001-2003. College came calling again and ex Eagle teammate Guy Morris hired Bill to be his 'D'Coordinator for 2004-2006 as Def.Co-ordinator(Baylor University). His last stop in the NFL has been with Ted Cottrell and San Diego Chargers 2006-2008. During 2009 and 2010, he was the secondary coach for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League.Bill also worked as Director of the Secondary.for FBU(Football University 2010-2011).

Lamar University
Bill was hired by Ray Woodard as the defensive coordinator of the Lamar Cardinals football team in 2012.

UFL
Bradley was the secondary Coach of the Hartford Colonials in the UFL until the league pulled the plug on the team for lack of funds. Bill then went to coach as the Director of the Secondary for the best technique teaching School in the USA,Canada and Europe. That Company is FBU(Football University). He is currently the Defensive Co-ordinator at Lamar University for his good friend and Head Coach Ray Woodard.