Tom Bradley Press Conference: Coach Does As Well As Could Be Expected

Following the firing of 46-year Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, the university announced that current defensive coordinator Tom Bradley would take over as interim head coach. Bradley was introduced in a press conference today.

While Bradley was unable to answer many of the questions posed to him regarding the child sex scandal of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, he held up well considering the circumstances. Bradley was really thrown into the crossfire of a very difficult situation.

It is impossible to know if he had any knowledge of Sandusky's alleged actions, but he had to field plenty of questions about it anyway. He also had to answer questions regarding the status of assistant Mike McQueary, who reportedly witnessed Sandusky sodomizing a young boy in 2002.

Bradley even became a bit choked up when asked about Paterno. Bradley maintained that Paterno should be remembered as a great coach and a greater man. He also said that nobody other than his father had a greater effect on his life than Joe Pa.

Ultimately, Bradley answered what he was permitted to and politely brushed away questions he wasn't, most of which involved Sandusky. He may have seemed a bit flustered at times, but the questions were flying at him in a fast and furious manner, and most of them were of a very sensitive nature.

Bradley would seem to be an ideal choice to finish out the season as head coach as he is a Penn State guy through and through. Not only did he play for the Nittany Lions in 1977 and 1978, but he has been an assistant under Paterno since graduating.

At this point, Penn State needs a coach who truly cares about the university. They seem to have found that in Bradley. It isn't likely that Bradley will be the permanent solution. However, in the face of so much controversy, he seems as though he can be a stabilizing force.

In a lot of ways, it was unfair of Penn State to essentially throw Bradley to the wolves in the media. He obviously had to address them at some point, but it was very clear that he was going to be pummelled with some very difficult questions.

All in all, Bradley wasn't exactly a pillar of strength in the press conference, but he more than held his own. With what is likely to be the most difficult day behind him, Bradley can now focus on getting the Nittany Lions to the Big Ten championship game.