Parker: Tech is Talented, Well-Coached

Jan. 1, 2010

Iowa Football Practice Photos/’Beach Day’ (Friday, Jan. 1)

MIAMI —It was vintage Norm Parker Friday morning when the University of Iowa’s defensive coordinator visited with the media assembled to hear about how the Hawkeyes were going to deal with Georgia Tech’s option offense in the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl.

He used water bottles and glasses to show what his squad will have to do to stop one of the nation’s most dominating running attacks, a three-headed monster that, according to Parker, has been refined and perfected by Tech coach, Paul Johnson.

“Yeah, I can explain. I need some of these things up here,” Iowa’s much-beloved coach explained in a show-and-tell fashion that would rival the work of any junior high school science teacher.

“That’s the fullback. This is the quarterback. We need a couple more. Let me get a couple other guys I got to get my core players,” Parker said as he reached for his pieces.

Seriously, Parker said preparing for Tech has been “sort of fun” for him because it takes him back a couple of decades.

“It’s like coaching 20 years ago,” he said, before adding, “but what these guys have done with this offense, they are, without question, they are the gurus of doing it.

“You’ve got to look at it and say these guys are really good. I mean, not only are they good at what they do, but they’ve got good players. They’ve done a great job.”

Parker is impressed with Tech’s quarterback (Josh Nesbitt), fullback (Jonathan Dwyer) and wide receiver (Demaryius Thomas).

“These kids are a reflection of their head coach. They work hard. Our players are hard-working guys. They really are. And they can separate time to go to the beach and time to go to practice. I think it’s been pretty good.”
Norm Parker

“I think he’s an NFL receiver,” Parker said of the junior who leads the Yellow Jackets with 46 catches for 1,154 yards and eight touchdowns.

“The guy is that good. He could be a (great) receiver in any offense. He’s really good. And he’s a great blocker. We’ll have some guy maybe 5-10, 180 on him, and here comes this guy, 6-3, 230 blocking on him. They’re good. Well coached. And they know what they’re doing.”

Parker said the Hawkeyes have had very good practices both in Iowa City and since arriving in Florida which is a must in a game against a team as talented as the Atlantic Coast Conference champions.

“These kids are a reflection of their head coach. They work hard. Our players are hard-working guys. They really are. And they can separate time to go to the beach and time to go to practice. I think it’s been pretty good.”