The Fuss Over Gus

If Gus Bradley is feeling any strain from carrying the burden of resuscitating a moribund NFL franchise, he certainly doesn’t show it. Coming off his first minicamp as Jaguars Head Coach, Bradley is exuberant, upbeat and brimming with an infectious confidence that seems to rub off on everyone around him. Bradley seems like the kind of guy who doesn’t have a bad day. It’s been a whirlwind journey to Jacksonville for the 46-year-old Minnesota native. His coaching career began in 1990 at his alma mater, North Dakota State University. For the past four NFL seasons, he was the coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks’ stingy defense. Now, Jaguars owner Shad Khan and new General Manager David Caldwell have tasked Bradley with coaching a team that finished with a 2-14 record last season, the worst in franchise history. He seems up to the challenge. He brings an infusion of high-octane enthusiasm to EverBank Field, along with a major dose of telegenic charisma. Jax Mag caught up with Coach Bradley as he was preparing for the NFL draft, and moving his family from Seattle to Jacksonville. • Bradley met his wife Michaela while attending North Dakota State University. She is a North Dakota native and former standout high school basketball player. They have four children, all under 14—two daughters and two sons. • “Family comes first,” but the coach says he welcomes the challenge of balancing the demands of his family life with his coaching career. • He has already bought a home in Marsh Landing. He says he “loves” the neighborhood. • When it’s time to unwind, you can find Bradley with a fishing pole in his hand. In fact, he just bought a boat and looks forward to getting on the water. • He says that Jacksonville is a big city with a “small town feel.” He says he’s still figuring out his way around our spread-out metro area, but he loves it. • His real name is Paul Casey Bradley. He was tagged with the name “Gus” as an infant and it’s stuck ever since. • What you see is what you get. “There is a difference between being genuine and phony. I always try to make sure that I stay true to who I am,” he says. • “This community is supportive of this team. It feels like everyone is pulling in the same direction,” says Bradley. • He wants a team that plays hard, fast and, most of all, together.