Go Bears!
GO Bears!
Go Bears!
Defensive Coordinator Bradley to Join San Diego Chargers Staff
Bears Promote Veteran Safeties Coach Larry Hoefer To Defensive Coordinator's Post.

Feb. 21, 2007

Waco, Texas - San Diego Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner has hired Baylor defensive coordinator Bill Bradley, a former NFL secondary coach for the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, to work alongside fellow Chargers' secondary coach Brian Stewart, while Bears' head coach Guy Morriss has promoted safeties coach Larry Hoefer to replace Bradley as Baylor's defensive coordinator.

"I'm sorry to see Bill leave because he's a tremendous coach and a great friend," said Morriss. "I feel like I'm losing a brother, because we are so close. I believe he and his staff have laid a good foundation for our defensive unit moving forward. I appreciate his dedication to our program the past three years and wish him well as he returns to the NFL. This is a tremendous opportunity for him, one that was really too good to pass up."

In Bradley's three seasons leading the Bears' defense, Baylor ranked 92nd (2004), 63rd (2005) and 110th (2006) in total defense among NCAA Division I-A programs. The hallmark of Bradley's defensive units at Baylor was forcing turnovers. After forcing just 10 opponent miscues in 2004, Baylor defenders have ranked among the nation's elite in turnovers forced the past two seasons--ranking tied for 14th in 2005 with 29 turnovers gained and tied for 29th this past season with 27 takeaways. In the Bears' 2005 5-6 campaign, Baylor ranked 13th nationally in pass efficiency defense while yielding its fewest total yards, rush yards and points per game since 1995.

"This is the best job (Baylor) that I've had because I've been able to work with a great friend in Guy (Morriss) and nine other good coaches who have become friends," Bradley said. "It is bitter-sweet for me, but this (San Diego) is a tremendous opportunity. I believe Baylor, with Coach Morriss, is a program that will go the distance once we get a few more wins under our belt. I believe that day is on the horizon."

Bradley's background includes working with recently-hired Bolts' defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell as the defensive backs coach in Buffalo from 1998-2000 and with the New York Jets from 2001-03. In Buffalo, Bradley's secondary led the NFL in pass defense in 1999, while ranking 14th in 1998 and fourth in 2000. Buffalo made the playoffs following the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Two of Bradley's three seasons in New York the Jets ranked in the NFL's top 10 in pass defense, recording a No. 7 ranking in 2001 and a No. 10 ranking in 2003. The Jets made the playoffs as a Wild Card in 2001 and won the AFC East in 2002.

A native of Palestine, Texas, Bradley was a high school All-America quarterback who led his team to the 1965 state title and went on to a standout collegiate career as a quarterback and defensive back at the University of Texas from 1966-68. He served as a tri-captain on Texas' 1968 team that finished the season 9-1-1, tied for the Southwest Conference championship, ranked third in the final AP poll and fifth in the season-ending UPI poll, and beat Tennessee, 36-13, in the Cotton Bowl. Selected in the third round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Bradley went on to earn three All-Pro awards (1971-73) at free safety. In addition, he served as the Eagles' punter and kick returner. Bradley, who led the NFL in interceptions in both 1971 (11) and 1972 (nine), became the first player ever to lead the league in interceptions in consecutive seasons, a feat that has been matched just one time since. He played in 114 NFL games, spending the 1969-1976 seasons with the Eagles and the 1977 campaign with both the Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Cardinals.

Hoefer, a 32-year coaching veteran, will be working as a defensive coordinator for the third time in his career after serving in a similar capacity at both Missouri and Texas-El Paso. He has spent the last six seasons (four at Baylor and two at Kentucky) as Morriss' safeties coach.

At Baylor, Hoefer has coached free safety Maurice Lane, the third-leading career tackler in school history and an All-Big 12 Conference selection, and outside safety Willie Andrews, the only two-time first-team coaches All-Big 12 Conference pick in school history. Andrews was drafted in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots and was a valuable special teams performer as a rookie for the 2006 AFC East champions.

"We are very fortunate to have someone with Larry's experience in the 4-2-5 system on our staff who can take over as defensive coordinator," Morriss said. "With spring ball just around the corner, I felt it was very important to maintain continuity within the program and promote Larry. His defenses enjoyed success at UTEP and Missouri, and I believe he and his staff will continue to build upon the foundation already in place."

In his lone season as the Miners' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Hoefer's unit played a key role in UTEP's 8-3 regular-season record which ended with a co-Western Athletic Conference championship and a Humanitarian Bowl bid. UTEP ranked 19th nationally in pass efficiency defense and shaved more than 50 yards off its per-game rushing average under Hoefer's leadership in 2000. He also served as defensive coordinator at Missouri during the 1991 season.

"This is a tremendous opportunity and I appreciate coach Morriss allowing me to serve as his defensive coordinator," said Hoefer. "I look forward to building on the base the defensive staff and players have helped establish over the last four seasons."

The Abilene, Texas, native began his coaching career at Tarleton State (1974-75), then spent five years in the Texas high school coaching ranks before returning to the collegiate ranks at West Texas A&M in 1981. He then moved to UTEP (1982-88), Missouri (1989-93), Texas Tech (1994-99), UTEP (2000), Kentucky (2001-2002) and Baylor (2003-present).

Hoefer and his wife, Kathy, have three children--married daughter Alison Schupp, and sons Tyler and Bennett, and three granddaughters.