Bruce Gradkowski and Anthony Becht first connected as teammates on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gradkowski, the former University of Toledo great, was a rookie quarterback in 2006, thrust into the starting role after an injury to Chris Simms. Becht was a seventh-year tight end in the midst of a 12-year career.
In 2008, they crossed paths again as members of the St. Louis Rams.
Fifteen years later, Gradkowski and Becht call St. Louis home again. This time, Gradkowski is the offensive coordinator, and Becht is the head coach of the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks.
“It’s been a great relationship,” Becht said. “I know the work that he has put in over the years. He had an outstanding career. He started in meaningful football games in the NFL. He brings a lot to the table, because he’s really smart. His offense is really sharp. His communication skills for a guy that played the position are a plus for us.”
The third iteration of the XFL kicks off on Saturday. St. Louis plays at San Antonio at 3 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
The Battlehawks’ offensive staff features former NFL assistants Art Valero (running backs), Pat Perles (offensive line), and Ricky Proehl (wide receivers), a Super Bowl-winning wide receiver. They’ll run a West Coast hybrid offense that features pieces of Jon Gruden, Sean McVey, and Matt LeFleur’s offensive principles.
AJ McCarron, who won three national championships at Alabama and played eight seasons in the NFL, is the starting quarterback.
“He’s a guy who’s super meticulous in what he does and the details of the offense,” Gradkowski said. “He helps me keep on top of my stuff. And he’s been a great leader for our guys. The quarterback has to be comfortable in what you’re doing so he can play fast and he can have a comfort level in the offense. AJ brings a wealth of knowledge.”
Following an 11-year NFL career, Gradkowski spent one season as an offensive assistant at Anthony Wayne (2017) and then served as the interim head coach at St. Francis de Sales in 2021 before getting the full-time job.
He resigned prior to the 2022 season to take the OC job in St. Louis.
In his lone season at St. Francis, wide receiver Trey Talboo led the Three Rivers Athletic Conference with 98 receptions, 1,412 yards, and 16 total touchdowns. Quarterback Denim Truss had a TRAC-best 2,371 yards passing and tailback Traven Horton led the league with a 7.2 yards-per-carry average.
“It was so tough [to leave St. Francis], and I really was torn,” Gradkowski said. “People from the outside might think, ‘Well, it’s the XFL, it’s a professional football team.’ But the relationships I developed and the passion I had for them and the passion they had for their school were awesome. It helped me learn so much on my journey as a football coach.”
Prior to joining the Battlehawks, Gradkowski was an offensive analyst for UT during the 2022 season, winning a second Mid-American Conference championship ring to go with the one he earned as a player in 2004. It was a mutually beneficial few months for Gradkowski, Toledo head coach Jason Candle, and the Rockets football program.
The experience allowed Gradkowski to remain in town with his wife and three kids while spending his days at the Larimer Athletic Center expanding his football mind. He enjoyed the process more than he predicted, acting as a sponge during conversations with Candle.
“I think Jason Candle does a great job,” Gradkowski said. “Toledo is lucky to have him because of his wealth of knowledge and offensive mind. He’s one of the top offensive minds in college football. To be around him for the season and learn from him was great.”
Candle applauded Gradkowski for his offensive curiosity, sharing of ideas, and using the opportunity to be involved at Toledo by growing as a coach.
“I thought he asked some really valuable questions to help organize his thoughts leading into this new opportunity,” Candle said. “For us, it was nice to have an extra set of eyes. To be around and be in meetings and provide things from his past experiences in the NFL, he’s got a bright future.”
The coaching profession is a grinding, 24-7 venture that recycles through people each year, chewing up and spitting out those who aren’t programmed to handle the pressure and endless hours. Gradkowski has impressed Becht by embracing the onerous vocation, arriving early, staying late, and attempting to satisfy his insatiable hunger for football.
His consumption of the sport has been all-encompassing for two decades. Gradkowski admits to thinking often about being a high-level head coach someday. During his NFL career, he was primarily a backup, becoming immersed in the game plan, helping the starter be prepared, and making sure he was ready if called upon.
In retirement, Gradkowski continued to make himself available to quarterbacks. The passion for giving back, swapping ideas, and passing down his knowledge of the game never left because of a thankfulness for his own mentors and former coaches.
Now, Gradkowski is ready for his biggest challenge yet, and perhaps the most rewarding.
“Just playing in the NFL, you get a Ph. D. in football because you’re around so many great minds,” he said. “You learn from the mistakes, you learn from the good times. Playing for 11 years in the NFL really helped me because I was around so many great coaches who were super detailed and guys who were great for players in the locker room and let guys be themselves. At the end of the day, we get caught up in Xs and Os, but it’s mostly about how to get the most out of your players.”
First Published February 16, 2023, 5:49 p.m.
