Raiders hire Bradley as new defensive coordinator
Many have tried and failed, but it’s up to Gus Bradley to solve the longstanding defensive issues of the Raiders.
Bradley was hired by coach Jon Gruden on Tuesday as the new Raiders defensive coordinator.
The defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers for the last four years, Bradley succeeds interim coordinator Rod Marinelli, who took over when Paul Guenther was fired with three games remaining in the 2020 season.
“I know things have moved pretty fast since the end of the season,” Bradley told reporters in a video conference. “Had some really great visits with many people from the Raider organization, including coach Gruden and many of the staff. I’m excited about the future and what it brings.”
Guenther was Gruden’s hand-picked choice as defensive coordinator when he returned to coaching in 2018. The Raiders were at the bottom of NFL defensive rankings all season, with Gruden firing Guenther after a 44-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts when both teams were playoff contenders. BELICHICKWON’T GET PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM AFTER ALL >> New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said on Monday night that he will not receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, saying “remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award.”
In a one- paragraph statement, the six-time Super Bowl winning coach did not say explicitly that he had turned down the offer from President Donald Trump, instead explaining “the decision has been made not to move forward with the award” in the wake of last week’s deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol.
“Recently, I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for what the honor represents and admiration for prior recipients,” the coach said in a statement, which was forwarded to The Associated Press by the team.
“Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award. Above all, I am an American citizen with great reverence for our nation’s values, freedom and democracy. I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team.”
Golf MASTERS PLANS FOR A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPECTATORS IN APRIL >>
Some volume is returning to the Masters, just maybe not the head-turning roars.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said Tuesday the club intends to allow a limited number of spectators for the Masters on April 8-11, provided it can be done safely, given the coronavirus pandemic.
In other areas, the Masters in April will be a lot like the last one in November. Ridley said it will be conducted with similar health and safety standards. Those standards last fall included mandatory COVID-19 testing and masks being worn.
Ridley said holding the Masters with only essential personnel made the club confident in its ability to stage a major championship with limited fans.
“Nothing is, or will be, more important than the well-being of all involved,” Ridley said. “While we are disappointed that we will be unable to accommodate a full complement of patrons this year, we will continue our efforts to ensure that all who purchased tickets from Augusta National will have access in 2022, provided conditions improve.”
Men’s college basketball
COVID CONCERNS:
• The Big 12 announced that West Virginia has postponed its next two home games due to COVID-19 concerns. The announcement came a day after the 13th-ranked Mountaineers called off their game Tuesday night at No. 2 Baylor. WVU also postponed Saturday’s home game with TCU and a Jan. 19 contest against Oklahoma State in Morgantown.
• The Southeastern Conference postponed Tuesday night’s basketball game between in- state rivals No. 10 Tennessee and Vanderbilt because of a combination of positive coronavirus tests, contact tracing and quarantining within the Commodores’ program.
Women’s college basketball
COVID CONCERNS:
• The game between No. 4 UConn and Villanova, which had been scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed. Villanova women’s basketball is on pause due to COVID-19 issues within the prog ram. Four thranked UConn also must reschedule today’s game against Seton Hall.
The Huskies say they are making the move as a precaution because of a coronavirus outbreak at Providence, a team the Huskies beat last weekend.
Tennis
ISNER SKIPPING AUSTRALIAN OPEN DUE TO PROTOCOLS >> John Isner said he will skip next month’s Australian Open because the strict COVID-19 health protocols would keep him away from his family for too long. Players are set to begin arriving in Melbourne this week for the Feb. 8-21 tournament. Government restrictions require players to isolate for two weeks before participating in warmup events.
College sports
KENTUCKY BASKETBALL, BASEBALL PLAYER DIES >> Kentucky walk- on basketball player Ben Jordan has died at age 22. His death Monday night was confirmed by the university. The cause of death was not announced.