Let’s call it a boxer’s sideline
Timothy Bradley Jr. is having fun — and, it appears, an impact — helping coach at La Quinta High.
Timothy Bradley Jr. said right after his April loss to Manny Pacquiao that his next stop would be somewhere on a beach.
It didn’t take long to decide that focusing on a loss while spending time on the sands of Coronado was no match for a summer of coaching football in the blistering heat of the Coachella Valley.
So on the Monday morning after his Saturday night defeat, the former two-division world boxing champion stepped into the office of La Quinta High football Coach Dan Armstrong.
“Coach, I’d like to help out. I’ll be a water boy, I’ll carry equipment. I just want to get involved because when I’m not training for a fight, I’m bored to death,” Bradley told Armstrong.
The next thing Bradley knew, he’d committed to become the La Quinta Blackhawks’ new defensive backs coach.
La Quinta is a proud program, boasting two CIF Southern Section championships, 10 league titles and three consecutive semifinal playoff berths in Armstrong’s 22-year reign.
Bradley, 33, was attracted to the program while serving as president of a youth football program in nearby Cathedral City. He enrolled his stepson, Robert, as a freshman, and Robert is now a junior backup linebacker to La Quinta defensive captain Benji Cordova.
“I was the loudest parent in the stands because I’m just so competitive,” Bradley said. “Last year, I saw a lot of mental mistakes and I felt like, ‘Man, I know I can help them in that department. I know I can make them mentally tougher.’ ”
Bradley (33-2-1, 13 knockouts) has proved his fortitude in the ring, admitting to his players there have been times in late rounds when he feels as if he’s ready to die.
Instead, Bradley battled through a concussion to defeat heavy puncher Ruslan Provodnikov, outclassed Juan Manuel Marquez and ground through injuries to gain a disputed split-decision triumph over Pacquiao in 2012.
“I didn’t play football,” Bradley said he tells the high school players. “[But] I’ve got insight from the highest level — what it takes to be prepared.
“I’ve been in the ring with guys a lot more talented than me — taller, more rangy, more punching power. The thing that separated me is that I wanted it more, I worked harder than them. I figured out a way to beat ’em by being me, being gritty. So every day, I’m pushing these guys, telling them, ‘Be you.’ ”
Armstrong is vocal too, so Bradley embraces the complementary role by taking on gestures to strengthen team unity.
He arranges pizza gatherings, brings large coolers packed with iced Gatorades to practices when it’s 110 degrees, and has also set up paintball contests. On a recent day, Bradley arrived at practice hoisting two cardboard carriers filled with Starbucks drinks for the water girls and team staff.
“He’s as good as they come,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong’s team is off to a 1-2 start. But he is upbeat about the season because his squad is loaded with returning players, except on the offensive line. La Quinta heads to Eastvale Roosevelt on Friday night.
The game will be played minutes from the Corona lumber yard where Bradley won a 2007 fight to set up his junior-welterweight title shot against England’s Junior Witter.
In small groups, Bradley passes on inspiring anecdotes — for example, how he trekked to England for the Witter bout with $13 in the bank and his credit cards maxed out. “If I lose, I’ve lost everything,” Bradley told them. “If I win, I’m world champion.”
One who’s taken Bradley’s message to heart is La Quinta sophomore running back Derrick Kennedy, a potential college player who had a 1,000-yard season as a freshman but was a distracted student.
“He’s taught me how to have more intensity. I know better this year, I’m focused,” Kennedy said. “Coach Bradley knows how to become a champion. When I don’t want to, he makes me go extra. It’s not easy, it’s tiring, but it’s what it takes.”
In practice, Bradley’s voice couldn’t be missed as his defensive backs worked to break up passes.
“Look at that,” he says after a play. “It wasn’t a pick, but he knocked the ball down by using the long hand instead of the right. If you don’t touch the receiver at the line, make sure you knock the ball down or catch it.”
He barks after a completion, “Are we going full speed or not? Hey, you’ve got to be ready! Protect yourself at all times!”
“I use boxing terms all the time, and they be looking at me like ‘Huh?’ ” Bradley said. “I told the quarterback, ‘You’ve got to learn how to feint.’ He’s like, ‘Feint?’ I showed him, ‘Look him off, then run up field. You’ve got to do it right every time.’ Now he feints.”
Bradley understands the football season may extend into December, so he’s told his promoter he won’t be ready for another fight until early 2017.
Possible opponents include unbeaten welterweight champions Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman and respected contenders Shawn Porter and Amir Khan.
“Let my body rest, be out here to enjoy these guys and fight early next year,” Bradley said. “It doesn’t matter who. I’ve only lost to Pacquiao. So I think I can win all of them.”