‘Valuable knowledge’ from Grace to Webb with Bradley
KNOXVILLE — A successful football head coach is making a return to the Cedar Bluff area.
Rusty Bradley, who guided Christian Academy of Knoxville to consecutive Division I Class 3A state championships in 2011 and 2012, has joined Dave Meske’s staff at Webb School of Knoxville as offensive coordinator after spending the last four seasons leading Spartans region rival Knoxville Grace Christian Academy.
“Rusty has a tremendous amount of experience, and he’s been very successful as a head coach, winning a couple of state championships,” Webb head coach Dave Meske said.
“I think the knowledge that he’s going to bring to our program is going to be valuable.”
“I am excited to be on coach Meske’s staff,” Bradley said. “They have a great program and I can’t wait to be a part of his staff.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how he does things and I’m looking forward to being with those other guys,” he added. “They are people and coaches that I can learn from.”
Bradley and the Rams parted ways following the 2020 season after Grace went 8-3 and was eliminated by Chattanooga Christian in the first round of the Division II-AA playoffs.
As a head coach at Grace Christian, Bradley won 29 games and guided the Rams to the postseason in each of his four seasons.
As CAK’s head coach, Bradley also served as the offensive play caller. He was the Warriors’ head coach from 2007 through 2015, mentoring some of the area’s top quarterbacks including Quinn Epperly, Richard Harb, Charlie High and Cole Smith.
After his time with the Warriors, Bradley relocated to West Tennessee where he coached at University School of Jackson. He was there for the 2016 season and coached Trey Smith, who has been a highly touted University of Tennessee offensive lineman.
“Without question, it’s great to be staying in Knoxville. It’s great to be able to remain in the area,” said Bradley, 46, a graduate of Bearden High School.
He was first at CAK as an assistant under legendary Bulldogs and Warriors head coach Bill Young.
Bradley was Young’s offensive coordinator with the Warriors from 2003 through 2006. He was promoted to the team’s head coach when Young retired after the 2006 season.
The new OC comes to a Spartans program that will find Meske entering his 36th season as its head coach this fall, having guided Webb to seven state championships.
Bradley becomes the third former head coach on Meske’s staff, joining Randy Carroll, who was a longtime head coach at Gibbs High School, and Kevin Julian, who previously served as head coach at Halls High School.
