Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 11, 1991 TAG: 9104110310
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Ron Bradley remembers strategy sessions that took place at the dinner table headed by his father, Carroll.
"Mom would be putting away the dishes and Dad would be diagramming the play with glasses," Bradley said.
Those lessons were learned well and put to good use.
Wednesday, the younger Bradley achieved what he called "the fulfillment of a lifelong dream" to be a Division I coach when he was introduced as the fourth head coach in Radford University men's basketball history.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be offered this opportunity," he said.
The opportunity arose when Oliver Purnell, who had brought Bradley to Radford as an assistant coach before the 1990-91 season, took over the program at Old Dominion University.
Bradley, 40, was identified as the front-runner to be Purnell's successor from the start. Although a number of heavyweight names emerged as potential candidates - VMI coach Joe Cantafio; Southwest Louisiana coach Marty Fletcher; former Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Florida coach Don DeVoe; former Tulsa coach J.D. Barnett; Kansas assistant and Radford alumnus Steve Robinson; and Nevada-Las Vegas assistant Ronnie Ganulin - nobody but Bradley was interviewed.
"He is without a doubt [the candidate] who had support from all areas," athletic director Chuck Taylor said. Including the returning Highlanders players and Purnell himself.
Bradley said he never felt pressure simply because he was perceived as the favorite.
"There was certainly some doubt [whether he would get the job], but I wasn't uncomfortable because I knew that I could go with Oliver to Old Dominion if things didn't work out here. I was talking to some other people about being an assistant coach. I knew my family would be taken care of," Bradley said.
Bradley has a three-year contract worth $55,000. There is a rollover provision after the second year, Taylor said.
Bradley will choose his assistant coaches probably sometime next week, he said.
Fellow Radford assistant Frank Smith has an offer to join Purnell at Old Dominion but said he is considering several options.
Bradley said the team, which finished 22-7 this past season and has all but one senior back, will play a little differently under his direction.
"But then, it played a little different this year than it did the year before," he said.
Bradley can take some of the credit. Players Doug Day and Tom Gallaher each said Bradley played a major strategic role for the team.
"My father always taught me to believe in pressure offense and pressure defense," he said.
That probably won't be the last time he cites paternal influence.
by CNB