Tom Bradley is the coach of the year.

Heck, give the man the hardware

for the past 4 years because without him, without the Penn State defense, the Nittany

Lions never get out of the dark years.

In 2004, when the offense couldn't find the end zone if it tripped into it (who can forget the 6-4 loss to Iowa?), the defense kept the numbers low enough to give Penn State a puncher's chance.

In 2005 and 2006, the Penn State defense ranked among the top 15 in the country, allowing 14.4 points in 25 games.

This year, with just one

senior among its starters, the Lions have

allowed minus-3 rushing yards,

10 points and 258 total yards

in two games.

Seemingly irreplaceable players graduate - Paul Posluszny last year, Tamba Hali in 2005 - and nothing changes.

That's not dumb luck.

That's coaching.

"[Bradley] really sets the tone," linebacker Sean Lee said. "He's intense, does whatever it takes. He comes in at 3:30 in the morning to get ready for the next week. His attitude, that's us, that's how we play."

In a 31-10 win over Notre Dame on Saturday, the defense essentially pitched a shutout. Charlie Weis' offensive genius got sent into the corner with a dunce cap, generating all of

144 yards in total offense and scoring only when it was set up by either the Penn State offense or special teams.