Bradley enters his third season with the Colts as the team's defensive coordinator. He has 34 years of coaching experience, including the last 18 seasons in the NFL.

Bradley enters his third season with the Colts as the team's defensive coordinator. He has 34 years of coaching experience, including the last 18 seasons in the NFL.

Indianapolis ranked fifth in the NFL in tackles for loss (94.0) and sacks (51.0), while finishing tied for fifth in forced fumbles (17.0) in 2023. The Colts also ranked fourth in opponent negative play yards (-512). The team recorded 14 consecutive games with a takeaway to open the season, which was the longest streak in the NFL in 2023.

The Colts had four players record at least 8.0 sacks in 2023, including defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, defensive end Samson Ebukam, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and defensive end Kwity Paye. They were the only team in the NFL to have four-such players last season. Indianapolis' 51.0 sacks were the most by the Colts in the Indianapolis era (since 1984). Buckner was named to his third career Pro Bowl.

Linebackers Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed each had career seasons, with Franklin finishing the year ranking second in tackles and solo tackles in the NFL. He surpassed his own franchise single-season record of tackles (166) from 2022, posting 179 during the 2023 campaign. Speed posted single-season career highs in tackles (100), solo tackles (76), tackles for loss (12.0) and forced fumbles (three). His 12.0 tackles for loss were also a team high.

In 2022, Indianapolis finished the season in the top 10 in the league in sacks (44 – tied-10th), tackles for loss (91 – fifth), forced fumbles (13 – tied-eighth), fumble recoveries (11 – tied-fourth), opponent negative plays (31 – fifth), third down percentage (37.95 – 10th) and opponent three-and-out percentage (22.3 – eighth). The unit's 44 sacks were the most in franchise history since 2005 (46).

Bradley guided Franklin and Bobby Okereke to career years. Franklin set the single-season franchise tackle record (166) and Okereke registered a single-season career high in tackles (149). The duo ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in total tackles (Franklin – fourth, Okereke – 10th) and solo tackles (Franklin, 102 – fifth; Okereke, 97 – ninth). Franklin had 10 games with 10+ tackles, which tied for the most in the league.

The Colts defense received significant contributions from defensive tackles Grover Stewart and Buckner. Stewart recorded single-season career highs in tackles (70), solo tackles (44), tackles for loss (9.0), sacks (4.0), passes defensed (three) and fumble recoveries (one). Buckner totaled 74 tackles (44 solo), 11.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Among NFL defensive tackles, Stewart and Buckner each ranked in the top five in total tackles (Buckner – tied-second; Stewart – tied-fourth) and solo tackles (Buckner and Stewart – tied-second). Buckner (third) and Stewart (fifth) each finished in the top five in total tackles by a defensive tackle in single-season franchise history. It marked the first time since 1994 that the Colts had two defensive tackles register at least 70 tackles each in a single season.

Additionally, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue led the team with 9.5 sacks. Rookie safety Rodney Thomas II paced the team with four interceptions. Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (two) and cornerback Stephon Gilmore (two) each registered multiple interceptions. Gilmore had a team-high 11 passes defensed (his highest total since 2019) and established single-season career highs in total tackles (66) and solo tackles (53).

Prior to Indianapolis, Bradley served as the defensive coordinator with the Las Vegas Raiders for one season. In 2021, defensive end Maxx Crosby was named to his first career Pro Bowl after registering 56 tackles (36 solo), 13.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks and seven passes defensed. Crosby tied for the fourth-most quarterback hits (30) in the NFL. Bradley also guided linebacker Denzel Perryman to his first career Pro Bowl selection after he compiled a single-season career-high 154 total tackles (102 solo). Perryman tied for the third-most solo tackles and ranked sixth in total tackles in the NFL.

From 2017-20, Bradley was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, where he coached with Indianapolis Head Coach Shane Steichen. Bradley's unit ranked in the top-10 in pass defense each season and in total defense for three consecutive seasons (2018-20). He guided four players to the Pro Bowl, including defensive ends Joey Bosa (2017, 2019-20) and Melvin Ingram III (2017-19), who combined for six Pro Bowl selections and 61.5 sacks under Bradley.

In 2020, the Chargers ranked in the top-10 in total defense (343.4 yards per game – 10th) and passing defense (223.6 yards per game – ninth). Los Angeles also finished in the top-10 in total defense (313.1 yards per game – sixth) and passing defense (200.3 yards per game – fifth) in 2019. Bosa compiled three consecutive multi-sack games, including two straight games with at least 2.0 sacks and became the first Charger to accomplish that feat since 2010.

The Chargers ranked ninth in total defense (333.7 yards per game), rushing defense (105.8 yards per game) and passing defense (227.9 yards per game) in 2018, while finishing eighth in scoring defense (20.6 points per game allowed). The defensive unit was one of four groups in the NFL to not allow multiple 300-yard passers in 2018. Bradley helped with the development of safety Derwin James Jr., whom the team selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. As a rookie, James Jr. started all 16 games and compiled 105 tackles (75 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed and three interceptions en route to earning numerous awards, including Associated Press First Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, PFWA All-NFL Team and PFWA All-Rookie Team accolades. He became the first rookie in Chargers history to record 100 or more tackles. Bradley also worked with second-year cornerback Desmond King II, who was named AP First Team All-Pro after he played in all 16 games (eight starts) and finished with 61 tackles (46 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one special teams stop. James Jr. (AP First Team All-Pro at safety and Second Team at defensive back) and King II (AP First Team All-Pro at defensive back and Second Team at punt returner) became the first player in team history to be named AP All-Pro at two positions.

In his first season with the Chargers, Bradley's unit allowed the third-fewest points per game (17.0) in the NFL, which was the best mark by the team since 1992. The team's 9.4 points per game improvement from the prior year was the second-best turnaround in franchise history. Los Angeles also ranked in the top-10 in passing defense (197.3 yards per game – third), takeaways (12 – third) and sacks (43.0 – tied-fifth). Bradley helped cornerback Casey Hayward Jr. earn his second career Pro Bowl selection as he tied for second in the NFL with 22 passes defensed, including four interceptions. The Chargers tied for sixth in the league with 18 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and safety Tre Boston tied for fifth in the league with a team high and career-high five interceptions. Bosa registered a single-season career-high 12.5 sacks, while Ingram III tied his single-season career high with 10.5 sacks.

Prior to Los Angeles, Bradley served as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars for four seasons (2013-16). The Jaguars ranked sixth in total defense (321.7 yards per game) and fifth in passing defense (215.3 yards per game) in 2016. Jacksonville boasted the league's 10th ranked passing offense (256.8 yards per game) in 2015 as the unit produced the third-most touchdowns (44) and the fifth-most total points (376) in team history. In 2014, the Jaguars defense finished in the top-10 in sacks (45.0 – sixth), sack-forced fumbles (12 – first) and forced fumbles (19 – third). He helped increase Jacksonville's sack total by 14.0 sacks from his first season to his second season at the helm.

From 2009-2012, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle boasted a defense that ranked third in points per game (17.5), fifth in takeaways (62) and sixth in the NFL in total defense (319.2 yards per game) from 2011-12. In 2012, the Seahawks set franchise records for fewest points allowed per game (15.3 – also led the NFL) and yards per game allowed (306.2). Safety Earl Thomas was named to the Pro Bowl and cornerback Richard Sherman earned AP First Team All-Pro honors after tying for second in the NFL in interceptions (eight). In 2011, Bradley helped three Seattle defensive backs – safety Kam Chancellor, cornerback Brandon Browner and Thomas – earn Pro Bowl honors as the team finished ninth in total defense (332.2 yards per game) and seventh in points allowed per game (19.7). In his first season in Seattle, he led a defense that registered two home shutouts, which marked the first time the Seahawks had done that in the same season since 1986.

Bradley began his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he served as linebackers coach (2007-08) and defensive quality control coach (2006). He worked with Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks, who earned Pro Bowl honors in the final season of his career (2008).

Collegiately, Bradley coached a combined 16 years at North Dakota State (1990-91, 1996-2005) and Fort Lewis College (1992-95).

In his second stint at North Dakota State, he served as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (2005), assistant head coach/linebackers (2003-04), assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (2000-02), defensive coordinator (1997-99) and linebackers coach (1996). In 2005, the Bison led the Great West Football Conference in scoring defense (13.7 points per game), passing defense (150.3 yards per game), total defense (272.4 yards per game) and turnover margin (plus one).

Bradley was the defensive coordinator at Fort Lewis College for four seasons (1992-95), including serving as the team's head coach for four months (December 1995-March 1996). He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at North Dakota State from 1990-91.

As a player, Bradley was a safety and punter at North Dakota State from 1984-88. He helped the Bison win NCAA Division II Football Championships in 1985, 1987 and 1988, while garnering Academic All-North Central Conference honors four times. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education as well as a master's degree in athletic administration.

Bradley is a native of Zumbrota, Minn. He is married to his wife, Michaela, and they have four children, Carter, Anna, Eli and Ella.

Coaching Career

1990-1991 | North Dakota State | Graduate Assistant

1992-1995 | Fort Lewis College | Defensive Coordinator

1996 | North Dakota State | Linebackers

1997-1999 | North Dakota State | Defensive Coordinator

2000-2002| North Dakota State | Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator

2003-2004| North Dakota State | Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers

2005 | North Dakota State | Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator

2006 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive Quality Control

2007-2008 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Linebackers

2009-2012 | Seattle Seahawks | Defensive Coordinator

2013-2016 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Head Coach

2017-2020 | Los Angeles Chargers | Defensive Coordinator

2021 | Las Vegas Raiders | Defensive Coordinator

2022-2024 | Indianapolis Colts | Defensive Coordinator