DB coach Ronnie Bradford also leaving USC football, per reports

Defensive backs coach Ronnie Bradford has been let go from USC football’s coaching staff, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.

Call it Black Tuesday for USC football.

The Trojans parted ways with yet another assistant coach as multiple reports, from USC Football.com, TrojanSports.com and Football Scoop, claimed defensive backs coach Ronnie Bradford will not be retained.

Bradford joined Clancy Pendergast’s defensive staff in 2016 after coaching defensive backs at Louisiana Tech for three seasons. He had know Pendergast from a stint as a defensive assistant at Cal in 2010.

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On the surface, he did well with the Trojans, developing a Thorpe Award winner in Adoree’ Jackson in 2016 and getting an exceptional senior season out of Iman Marshall in 2018.

However, questions had hovered over his ability to get the most out of the Trojans talent as USC’s defensive backs struggled mightily over the years, giving up big plays and blowing coverage.

Bradford is one of three coaches who have reportedly been let go on Tuesday, joining defensive line coach Kenechi Udeze and offensive coordinator Tee Martin as departures from the Trojan staff following a 5-7 campaign.

A fourth coach, Bryan Ellis who has been in charge of quarterbacks, has been linked to the offensive coordinator job at Western Kentucky and is expected to leave as well.

The changes come as athletic director Lynn Swann made the unpopular decision to retain head coach Clay Helton this Sunday. As part of the decision to stick with Helton, both the AD and head coach suggested that major issues would be address across the program this offseason. Staff changes were one of those issues.

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With five of 10 assistants off the staff, including previously-dismissed offensive line coach Neil Callaway, the overhaul is certainly underway.

Now the question is, how many more will follow? The fates of defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, special teams coordinator John Baxter, outside linebackers coach Johnny Nansen, running backs and offensive line coach Tim Drevno and tight ends coach Keary Colbert have yet to be revealed.