Jacksonville, FL (Sports Network) - The Jacksonville Jaguars have selected Gus Bradley as their new head coach.
Bradley spent the past four seasons as defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. He will replace Mike Mularkey, who was fired last Thursday by new Jaguars general manger Dave Caldwell after a disastrous 2-14 season.
"I am very proud to accept the offer to be the next head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars," said Bradley in a statement Thursday. "(Jaguars owner) Shad Khan and Dave Caldwell expect to win, and that's what I wanted to hear. That's why I am coming to Jacksonville -- to win a Super Bowl."
Caldwell also reportedly interviewed Mel Tucker, Jay Gruden and Brian Schottenheimer, in addition to Bradley.
"It was just a matter of time before Gus Bradley became a head coach in the NFL," said Caldwell, "And the Jacksonville Jaguars are extremely fortunate that Gus will be on our sidelines for many years to come. Gus more than met every criteria we insisted on from our new head coach, and his intangibles and leadership abilities are exceptional. Gus is who the Jaguars need now and in the future."
The Seahawks had the top scoring defense in the NFL this season under Bradley, allowing just 15.3 points per game. Seattle's season came to a close this past Sunday with a 30-28 loss to Atlanta in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
It was thought Bradley might be the choice in Philadelphia and reports even circulated that he was close to a deal with the Eagles earlier this week, but Chip Kelly had a change of heart and decided to leave Oregon to replace Andy Reid in Philly.
Bradley has 23 years of coaching experience, including seven in the NFL. He was the linebackers coach for two years in Tampa Bay after serving one season with the Bucs as defensive quality control coach.
Prior to joining the Buccaneers, Bradley spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, North Dakota State, and six years on the staff at Fort Lewis College.
