A former University of Montana defensive coordinator in Ronnie Bradford is reportedly joining the Miami Dolphins’ coaching staff.
Former NFL defensive back and assistant coach Ronnie Bradford, who was Montana’s defensive coordinator last season, is returning to the NFL and joining the Miami Dolphins as their Senior Special Teams Assistant.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 19, 2024
Bradford worked alongside Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel on the Denver Broncos, when the latter served as a coaching intern with the team.
Prior to Bradford’s stint at the University of Montana, he served in coaching roles for several college football teams. He was the secondary coach at the University of Southern California and defensive backs and special teams coordinator at Louisiana Tech University. Also, he spent time as the safeties coach at the University of Memphis and a defensive administrative assistant at the University of California, Berkeley.
Before he spent time coaching in the collegiate ranks, he spent seven years as an assistant coach in the NFL with the Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. Bradford took on several coaching roles during his six seasons with the Broncos, as he was a special teams assistant, special teams coach, defensive backs assistant and defensive backs coach at different points during his time with the team.
Bradford spent just one season on the Chiefs’ coaching staff, as he served as a defensive assistant with Kansas City back in the 2009 season.
The 53-year-old spent 10 seasons in the NFL and played for the Broncos as well as the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings organizations. But, ironically, he was drafted by the Dolphins with the No. 105 overall pick back in the 1993 NFL Draft.
Bradford played his final season in the NFL with the Vikings in the 2002 season and totaled 67 combined tackles, 50 solo tackles, 17 assists on tackles and two tackles for loss across 16 appearances and 15 starts during the regular season. He also finished with one interception.
Given Bradford’s familiarity with McDaniel and his extensive experience as both an NFL and college coach, it’s easy to see why McDaniel decided to add him to his coaching staff. Only time will tell how his stint as the Dolphins’ senior special teams assistant will pan out.
