Gus Bradley

Lore & Background

Paul Casey 'Gus' Bradley was born on July 5, 1966, in Zumbrota, Minnesota. He played college football at North Dakota State University from 1984 to 1988, where he was a free safety and punter, helping the Bison win the NCAA Division II Football Championship in 1984, 1987, and 1988. He earned bachelor's degrees in business administration (1989) and physical education (1990) and a master's degree in athletic administration (1992) from NDSU. Bradley began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at North Dakota State (1990–1991), then was defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Fort Lewis College (1992–1995) and their head coach from December 1995 to March 1996. He returned to North Dakota State from 1996 to 2005, coaching in many positions including defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, and assistant head coach. In 2006, he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as defensive quality control coach, working with Monte Kiffin, and was promoted to linebackers coach in 2007. He was hired as Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator on January 12, 2009. After his Jaguars head coaching tenure (2013–2016), he served as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers (2017–2020), Las Vegas Raiders (2021), and Indianapolis Colts (2022–2024), and as assistant head coach for the San Francisco 49ers (2025). He joined the Tennessee Titans as defensive coordinator on February 4, 2026.

In Their Own Story

The roar of the crowd at TIAA Bank Field was deafening as Gus Bradley watched from the sideline, his headset pressed tight against his ear. The game clock ticked down to single digits in a crucial fourth-quarter stand. His defense, a well-oiled machine he had built over years of drilling and discipline, stood tall against the opposing offense's final drive. As the quarterback scrambled for time, Bradley didn't flinch; he knew the pressure would come. With a nod from his coordinators, the Jaguars' pass rush surged forward, collapsing the pocket just as the snap occurred. The interception sealed the victory, a testament to the aggressive philosophy that defined his era in Jacksonville.

Reader's Guide

Bradley was head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013 to 2016, compiling a 14–48 record before being relieved of his duties on December 18, 2016. His first regular season win as Jaguars head coach came in Week 10 of 2013 against the Tennessee Titans (29–27). He was named head coach of the South team in the 2014 Senior Bowl. As defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, his defense ranked 1st in points allowed per game in 2012 (15.3). With the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017, his defense allowed 17 points per game (third-fewest in the NFL), earning him a three-year contract extension. He was fired by the Colts on January 6, 2025, after three years as defensive coordinator.

Did You Know?

• Bradley was the original playcaller of the Seattle Seahawks' Legion of Boom secondary.
• He helped North Dakota State win three NCAA Division II Football Championships (1984, 1987, 1988).
• Bradley's son, Carter, was the starting quarterback for the South Alabama Jaguars from 2022 to 2023 and played for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024.
• He was hired as Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator on February 4, 2026, reuniting with Robert Saleh.