University of South Alabama Athletics

Antonio Bradford joined South Alabama's coaching staff in April 2022 where he will serve as running backs coach.

Bradford served as an offensive analyst at Austin Peay during the 2021 season. He had moved into the role of tight ends coach prior to the start of spring practice. 

Freshman wide receiver Drae McCray became the first AP receiver to record 200-plus yards in a single game since the 2001 season and he was the fourth Gov to eclipse the 200-yard receiving mark in a game in program history with his 237-yard performance in the season finale against Tennessee Tech. McCray's 237 receiving yards tied for the third-best single-game mark in the FCS during the 2021 season and was the best performance by an FCS freshman.

Sophomore quarterback Draylen Ellis threw 33 career touchdowns, which passed Jeremiah Oatsvall (30) for the fourth-most touchdown tosses in program history. Ellis' 19 touchdown passes during the season ranked as the fourth-best single season mark in program history. He finished the season with 2,626 passing yards, which was the third-best single-season total in Austin Peay history, and just the sixth 2,000-yard passing season by a Gov ever.

Running back Ahmaad Tanner recorded 11 rushing touchdowns in 2021, which was tied with Kentel Williams (2019) as the sixth-best season in program history. Tanner's 2,425 career rushing yards rank as the seventh-most in Austin Peay history, he is one of just nine Govs to rush for 2,000-yards in a career.

Prior to his arrival in Clarksville, Bradford spent six seasons as the tight end and offensive tackle coach at Tennessee State. In 2016, Bradford helped in the training of All-American Jessamen Dunker who went on to sign a free agent contract with the New York Giants.

Before joining the Tigers, Bradford spent 10 seasons at his alma mater Alabama State, ultimately becoming the Hornets’ associate head coach. His offensive line groups helped ASU’s offense rank among the FCS’ Top 15 in rushing yards in back-to-back seasons. In 2014 the Hornets rushed for 235.5 yards per game, 12th among all FCS teams, finishing the season with a 7-5 record. The previous season, they averaged 236.3 yards per game, good for 14th among FCS teams and an 8-4 record. 

Throughout his tenure, he also served as video coordinator, assistant recruiting coordinator, assistant head coach and interim head coach for ASU.

Bradford also played for the Hornets and was a three-year starter (2002-04) at left guard, helping the ASU to back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division titles in 2003 and 2004, and the program’s second SWAC football championship in 2004.

Bradford was a college teammate of current South Alabama defensive line coach Landius Wilkerson at Alabama State in the early 2000s – Wilkerson at left tackle and Bradford at left guard.

Bradford and his wife, Faith, have two daughters, Autumn and River.