Report: UCLA close to hiring former Penn State DC Tom Bradley

UCLA is nearing a deal with former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley for the same position. Bradley was West Virginia's defensive line coach and senior associate head coach last season.

UCLA is nearing a deal with former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley for the same position, Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports reports.

Bradley was West Virginia's defensive line coach and senior associate head coach last season. Bradley played his college football at Penn State before joining Joe Paterno's coaching staff.

In 1980, Bradley joined the Nittany Lions' special teams staff and worked a variety of positions before rising to defensive coordinator in 2000. He held the position for 12 years and served as the team's interim coach after Paterno was fired in 2011.

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Bradley was not brought back by head coach Bill O'Brien in 2012 and did not coach for two seasons before joining West Virginia last season.

The Mountaineers finished No. 65 in the nation in total defense, allowing 399.4 yards per game, and No. 72 in scoring defense, surrendering 27.6 points per game.

UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich accepted a job with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this month, which prompted four-star linebacker Roquan Smith to change his commitment from UCLA to Georgia.

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- Paul Palladino