Gaffney assistant to become a Tiger
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Gaffney High assistant coach Marcus Bradley plans to become a graduate assistant at Clemson University.

Gaffney assistant coach Marcus Bradley knows he's been in good company during his brief coaching career.

Bradley will become a football graduate assistant at Clemson University either in the fall or next spring. He'll be serving as a weight and conditioning coach.

"This is a great opportunity," Bradley said. "It's the best of both worlds. I have the opportunity to work for the biggest and best Big 16 high school football program and the best school as far as college football is concerned."

Bradley said he hasn't decided whether he will coach another season at Gaffney High or leave for Clemson in August.

Gaffney head coach Phil Strickland said Bradley will be missed.

"He is an excellent football coach," Strickland said. "I'm very happy that he has this opportunity."

Bradley had high praise for Strickland. "Coach Strickland has been very good to me," he said. "It feels like I'm on a college staff already. In my opinion, I feel that I've learned under the best high school coach in South Carolina."

Bradley served as the defensive backs coach for the Indians.

Strickland said it's too early to speculate on Bradley's replacement.

Bradley said his ties to the Clemson football program began in 1999 when he enrolled in school there.

"I took some classes there and got to know the coaches," he said.

Bradley starred on the Indians' 1992 state championship team. He played at Western Carolina, where he earned all-conference honors at outside linebacker.

Too small to play linebacker at the professional level, he moved to defensive back as a free agent with the National Football League's San Diego Chargers. He was cut in training camp, but was signed by Houston of the Arena Football League.

From there, he played two years for the Canadian Football League Calgary Stampeders. He retired after injuring his ankle.