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Longtime Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley has interviewed for the Pitt coaching job that became vacant when Mike Haywood was fired 21/2 weeks after being hired.
Bradley talked with Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson and also met with members of Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg's administration, according to a Pitt official with knowledge of the meetings. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the school isn't making any formal announcements about interviewed candidates.
WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh reported Wednesday night that the 54-year-old Bradley had been offered the job. University spokesman E.J. Borghetti quickly issued a statement on behalf of the school refuting that report.
"The University of Pittsburgh has not offered its head coaching position to anyone, and no decisions about an offer have been made," the statement read.
Bradley, known for his recruiting skills, was not interviewed before Pitt hired Haywood on Dec. 16, little more than a week after coach Dave Wannstedt was forced to resign. Haywood, the former Miami (Ohio) coach, was fired Saturday following his arrest on a domestic violence charge in Indiana.
Pitt's previous search consisted only of Division I head coaches. This search has been expanded to include assistants.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno said Bradley - considered to be a likely successor should Paterno step down - would be a strong addition for Pitt.
"I think Tommy is a fine coach," Paterno said following Penn State's Outback Bowl loss to Florida. "He has good, strong University of Pittsburgh contacts. He's got a brother (Jim) who is an orthopedic surgeon for the Steelers, the whole bit. I think Tommy should be a very, very strong candidate. He's a good recruiter, a good coach, he's organized."
Before Haywood was hired, Steelers chairman emeritus Dan Rooney called Pederson recommending that Bradley be interviewed, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Bradley, who has long recruited western Pennsylvania, might help salvage a Pitt recruiting class that has lost most of the 18 players Wannstedt had recruited before he was forced out.
Bradley was considered for the Temple job, but was passed over for Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio. Bradley also is believed to be a candidate at Connecticut, which lost Randy Edsall to Maryland this week.
