Tom Bradley is fiery on the sidelines. He's from western Pennsylvania. He's a defense guy.

So of course, he's always compared to another Pennsylvania football coach — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher.

"I've heard that," Bradley said in an exclusive interview with BWI last week. "I wish I could be laid back, but everyone who knows me knows that I'm aggressive."

As the Nittany Lions' defensive coordinator, Bradley has hugged his players, shouted (a little) and given some high-fives. More importantly, he has instilled his beliefs in his defense. Be aggressive. Play smart. Don't give up the big play.

Now, he's working on stressing something else as the 2005 season nears — patience.

"The one thing I've learned is patience. I hate to use the word. But Coach (Joe) Paterno has made me become patient. It's not my style," Bradley said with a laugh.

Bradley, a Penn State graduate, began his coaching career in 1979 as a graduate assistant coach with the Lions. It's been 26 years in Happy Valley, and Bradley couldn't be happier with the way his career has gone.

He did admit that he would like to be a head coach — someday.

"I think anyone in this profession aspires to be a head coach. For me, it's got to be the right place. That's everything to me. It's got to be the right place. It has to feel right," Bradley said. "I'm at a great place. Some people jump just to jump. I've had some opportunities to go other places and I haven't to this point. I'm sure there are people who wish I had."

But Bradley also said that he doesn't like his name in the newspapers associated with every job opening. After all, it isn't easy to tell recruits to come in when you're looking to get out.

As the 2005 season nears, Bradley has just one thing in mind — getting his defense even better. Last season, the Lions lost some close games that the defense kept them in. The offense struggled to put points on the board. But Bradley said that no one — player or coach — ever started finger pointing.

"If they're frustrated, they can sit and watch the game because they're not going to play for Penn State. They can go become a spectator. Everyone is busting their tails, trying to win the game. You can't point fingers," Bradley said. "If you wanna gripe about something, you can play for somebody else. But not here. We don't have time to gripe and do those things. We have to worry about ourselves. We have to focus on every play. We're not that good if we don't. We are not that gifted physically. We don't have (LaVar) Arrington and (Courtney) Brown. We have to be tough, physical and smart all the time. That's when good things will happen for you."

He's hoping that the good things will come in 2005. But win or lose, he's in it with his team.

"Sometimes, you make a dumb call and they bail you out. Sometimes, you make a good call and they screw up," Bradley said. "We're in this together. I just want them to give me a great effort, that's all I can ask."

So, is "Scrap" destined to be a head coach? Well, that's not really up to him — although the thought is appealing. Time to use that word again — patience.

"Yeah, I'd like to be a head coach. It's my goal. But I like this place. I like the people around me," Bradley said. "They're great guys. Joe Paterno is great. The people in this town are great. It's what we're all about."