Q&A with with Grace Christian football coach Rusty Bradley

JACKSON - This week’s announcement that Rusty Bradley was leaving University School of Jackson’s football program after just one season was a shock to the fan base.

Bradley took a few minutes after meeting with parents at his new school, Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville, on Friday night to answer a few questions.

Question: You moved to Jackson from Knoxville and then back to Knoxville 14 months later. Would you have preferred to stay in Knoxville and never come to Jackson?

Answer: God had a specific purpose for me coming to USJ. In that 14-month time period, there were things that I learned and experienced that helped me grow as a person. I was able to get close to one or two people who poured into me and helped grow and develop. I think God used these 14 months to prepare me for what’s next, and I think he called me to go to Grace because my purpose at USJ had been accomplished. It wasn’t about anything more than that. I think these 14 months were critical to my development, and I had the one of best years of my life getting to know everyone in Jackson. It’s been a special time.

Q: How are you different as a coach now compared to before you came to Jackson?

A: I think I grew as a coach just because I saw different teams and played against different people. I will say I think we played against better talent on a weekly basis. At (his former school Christian Academy of Knoxville) we knew going in most weeks had a good chance to win if we played well. We didn’t have that assurance here as many weeks, and that made me a better coach. I had to learn ways to keep kids motivated. I think I grew as a person because when you go through tough times like that it forces you to grow spiritually.

Q: What would you say to USJ’s next coach about the football environment there?

A: I’ve never played in front of more people at a home game. It’s a great environment as you work for a head of schools (Stuart Hirstein) who does everything he can for the program and an athletic director (Jody Evans) who understands what it takes to be successful in football. They were phenomenal to me, and I think the future is bright at that place.

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Q: Have you talked to the players since you announced?

A: I’ve exchanged a few text messages with some who’ve texted me since I told them. I felt like after telling them that I probably needed to give them a little space. (Hirstein) asked me going in to make it short and give him and the other coaches some time with players. Since then I’ve had some text messages and a few parents call out of appreciation.

Q: There were some in the USJ community who expressed on social media anger at your quick exit from the school. What would you say to them if you sat down with them for a conversation?

A: I’d tell them what I told the team. The decision to leave wasn’t about USJ and nothing about the kids or families. It was about being obedient to what God was calling me to next. He made it abundantly clear to me it was time to leave and go to Grace, and it’s my job to be obedient. You don’t have to understand it but simply trust and be obedient. Isaiah 55 said his thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We’re not always to understand our jobs he tells us to do, but we are to trust based on trusting him. I told it to the players, and I’ll tell it to anybody that asks. It’s up to them to receive it however they choose. I’m accountable to being obedient to God and not to anyone else’s opinions.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory from your time at USJ?

A: Having the ice cream truck come to practice the Thursday of the first week in practice and seeing the surprise on the players’ faces and the appreciation. Then on the field, I think beating Briarcrest Christian in Memphis because nobody gave us a chance to win that game, that was a special time — that one and probably winning at Battle Ground Academy.

Q: The past 14 months have been eventful for USJ football with the run to the semifinals, some of the big games you had last season, the way the offense progressed last season and Trey Smith’s college recruitment. How much fun did you have this past season?

A: Last 14 months was an absolute blast. I loved getting up every day and seeing the change in the field house, the changes in the locker room, getting the play clocks installed, getting the equipment trailer, getting new uniforms and doing things that needed to happen. Just watching and being a part of that process of things coming together and falling into place. That’s probably the biggest thing I’ll remember about my time here. I’m appreciative of the opportunity and the people here.

Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or at 425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon.