Ronnie Bradford hired as USC secondary coach

Ronnie Bradford will join the USC staff as a secondary coach, Coach Clay Helton announced Wednesday.

Bradford, 45, held the same position the last three seasons at Louisiana Tech. He also served as the Bullogs’ special teams coordinator.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Ronnie Bradford to the Trojan Family,” Helton said in a statement released by the school. “His 17 years of experience in the NFL as both a player and a coach jumped out to us immediately.

“I am very impressed with his ability to coach technique and fundamentals at the defensive back position. He is a true technician. His energy and personality is infectious and will be valuable in recruiting.”

Bradford has an established relationship, and “terrific chemistry,” according to Helton, with recently hired defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast.

Pendergast and Bradford worked together with the Kansas City Chiefs and at California.

Bradford replaces Keith Heyward, who was among four assistants that Helton fired after the Pac-12 Conference championship game.

Bradford played 10 seasons in the NFL before becoming an NFL assistant for seven seasons and then moving into the college ranks.

Helton has hired five assistants since a season-ending loss to Wisconsin in the Holiday Bowl last month.

Pendergast, who was an assistant in 2013, and John Baxter, a former assistant for four seasons, return to the staff.

Helton also has hired from Western Kentucky, Tyson Helton, his brother, as running backs coach and Neil Callaway as offensive line coach.

Tee Martin was retained as offensive coordinator and Johnny Nansen also was retained, though his role has not been determined.

Marques Tuiasosopo was offered to be retained as quarterbacks coach but left for that same post at UCLA.

Peter Sirmon, offered to be retained as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator, accepted a position at Mississippi State as defensive coordinator.

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