Beaty: New KU linebackers coach Todd Bradford definitely fits the mold

By Matt Tait     Jan 15, 2016

Nick Krug
Kansas University football coach David Beaty gives a directive to his players from across the field during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Kansas University coach David Beaty, in a news release Friday, offered up his thoughts on newly hired linebacker coach Todd Bradford.

From the sound of things, Bradford is a guy whom Beaty could have hired when he was first forming his staff after being tapped as the next head coach as Kansas in December of 2014.

“I have made it a point to hire coaches who are not just talented in one area,” Beaty said in the release. “I want our staff to consist of men who can get after it in recruiting and at the same time develop the players in our program and Todd definitely fits that mold.”

Out of coaching since 2011, when he served as the defensive coordinator at Maryland, Bradford returns to his longtime profession to replace Kevin Kane who left KU for the DC job at Northern Illinois, with a ton of experience in a variety of systems.

But it’s his familiarity with the Big 12 Conference and wide-open style of offenses that have to be defended that may make Bradford the best fit for Kansas.

Before his one year at Maryland, Bradford was the defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Southern Miss for three seasons and that followed up a stint as the linebackers coach for Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State from 2005-07.

“Not only does Todd’s track record speak for itself in regards to recruiting and development of players,” Beaty said. “But he has done it within the landscape of the Big 12. He knows what it takes to help a team become successful in this league.”

In addition to his vast knowledge of different styles of defense, Bradford, in his 25 years of coaching at the collegiate level, has coached or recruited 36 players who went on to have careers in the National Football League.

While at Maryland, Bradford, 52, primary recruiting territory made him responsible for northern New Jersey and five boroughs in New York City. His official bio with the Terps listed Texas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and northern Virginia as his secondary recruiting areas.

A CLOSER LOOK AT TODD BRADFORD:

Date of Birth: April 15, 1963

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

Alma Mater: Southern Utah, `86

Family: He and wife, Sondra, have a son, Kody, and three daughters, Ashlee, Hailee and Whitnee.

Coaching Experience:

University of Maryland

2011-pr.: Assistant Coach – Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs

University of Southern Mississippi

2008-10: Assistant Coach – Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs

Oklahoma State

2005-07: Assistant Coach – Linebackers

BYU

2003-04: Assistant Coach – Offensive Co-Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Middle Tennessee State

2002: Assistant Coach – Defensive Backs /Kickoff Coverage

Wisconsin

2000-01: Assistant Coach – Defensive Backs

Louisiana Tech

1999: Assistant Coach – Defensive Backs

1997-98: Assistant Coach – Defensive Coordinator/ Defensive Backs

Eastern Michigan

1995-96: Assistant Coach – Defensive Backs

Lehigh

1994: Assistant Coach – Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs

New Hampshire

1988-93: Assistant Coach – Defensive Backs /Recruiting Coordinator

Southern Utah

1987: Assistant Coach – Defensive Backs/Special Teams and Recruiting Coordinator

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.