Penn State's Tom Bradley Reportedly Still Alive at UConn; Pitt Not So Much

Where in the world is Tom Bradley?

If you want a good example of what not to do in sports journalism, just follow Bradley’s job search.

Reporters have been throwing anything and everything against the wall and seeing if it sticks.

Last week, WTAE-TV reported that Bradley, a long-time assistant coach at Penn State, was offered the Pitt job. The university later came out and said that no decision has been made.

Also that night, another well-respected journalist at the Harrisburg Patriot-News was forced to retract his article that Penn State players were receiving text messages that Bradley was offered the Pitt job.

It’s been completely insane.

Just a heads up on the Pittsburgh job, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Tulsa head coach Todd Graham has been made an offer. Graham reportedly denied the initial deal worth $1.6 million and put it back in Pitt’s hands. A decision could come as early as Tuesday.

So what about Bradley?

Reports were swirling that he met with Connecticut Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway on Friday in Dallas, Texas. Those reports were apparently erroneous.

According to the Hartford Courant, the two did meet up Sunday in Dallas. In the meantime, Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler reportedly withdrew his name from contention and a decision by the university could wrap up by the end of the week.

It’s been a crazy two weeks for Tom Bradley who is still apparently in contention for both jobs. Let’s just hope one of them works out.

Bradley is in his 32nd year on Joe Paterno’s staff. He just wrapped up his 11th season as Penn State’s defensive coordinator and has produced one of the nation’s top defenses for a majority of the last decade.

Bradley’s loyalty to the program should be commended but is likely hurting him in the job search. He wasn’t even considered for the initial opening at Pitt despite having strong ties to Western PA.

Pitt was looking for someone with head coaching experience and selected Mike Haywood of Miami (OH). Haywood was fired less than three weeks later after being arrested for domestic battery in Indiana.

Until something is officially announced, Bradley is still considered a top candidate at both universities. Only time and shoddy reporting will tell.

If Bradley does jump ship to Pitt or UConn, big changes could be coming to Happy Valley in what looks like Joe Paterno’s final year at Penn State.