Interim coach Tom Bradley focuses on the game, not the rumors

Tom Bradley's longtime association with Penn State could be nearing an end, but he's not worried about it.

DALLAS -- With the Nittany Lions ending their season today in the TicketCity Bowl, longtime coach Tom Bradley knows his Penn State career could be ending, as well.

A season of unprecedented turmoil finishes as the seemingly unending uncertainty around this program continues.

"What's the rumor? ... Every day it's a new rumor," Bradley said about the Penn State head-coaching search that includes him but has been ongoing since mid-November. "That's why we don't pay much attention to it because every day a new person is brought up."

The latest alleged candidate to emerge is New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.

There also were reports over the weekend that Bradley would be granted a second interview for the job. He denied knowing anything about that.

Then, during and after a scheduled New Year's Day press conference with Houston coach Tony Levine at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, Bradley said he was unsure if he would consider remaining on Penn State's staff as an assistant coach, if asked.

If a new permanent coach is not named immediately after the bowl game, though, Bradley said he does plan to hit the road recruiting with his assistants on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

He said he cannot dwell on the possibility that his Penn State career, which stretches back to his playing days 35 years ago, could be over.

"I get focused on a game, that's the way I operate. I zero in on a game, that's what I do," he said. "I really haven't had a whole lot of time to reflect on it."

But ask the Penn State players who they think should be the next head coach?

Many prefer Bradley, with senior safety Drew Astorino making his case on Sunday.

"I really enjoy his coaching style. He's open. He's a player's coach. I think he can bring Penn State into a new generation as well as keep it old school," Astorino said. "It's a known fact that we're super old school, and that's the reason why we came to Penn State. ... I think (Bradley) could find a good balance in tradition, discipline and move into the next generation."

Astorino said the atmosphere felt noticeably different between the ruling hands of Joe Paterno and Bradley.

For one, Paterno did not allow players to wear earrings. Bradley is fine with that.

"We talked about it as a team," Astorino said. "It's a culture thing. That's just one more thing to be fighting over when we don't need to be fighting."

Astorino said he understands the view of how a clean break from the current staff could be a positive move for Penn State.

It's just that his choice would still be Bradley.

"He got thrown into probably the worst situation in college football history, and he's handled it better than anybody could," Astorino said. "He's kept this team together.

"There's a lot of stuff behind the scenes that nobody sees that he's taken control of."

* * *

He's definitely out: Quarterback Matt McGloin (concussion) has been ruled out of action in today's game, Bradley said.

Sophomore Rob Bolden will be the starter and walk-on Shane McGregor will be his backup.

Big man in middle: All-America defensive tackle Devon Still (turf toe) will be ready to play, Bradley said.

Empty house: Bowl officials are expecting only a crowd of 50,000 even though the Cotton Bowl holds 90,000.

This could be the most sparsely attended Penn State bowl since the Blockbuster against Stanford drew only 45,554 on Jan. 1, 1993.

History lesson: Penn State athletic director Dave Joyner played his final game in the Cotton Bowl against Texas on Jan. 1, 1972 and Bradley's older brother, Jim, played his final game here against Baylor on Jan. 1, 1975.
@YDRPennState; 771-2104

Source: http://www.ydr.com/psu/ci_19657098?source=rss

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