Norm Parker Named Assistant Coach of the Year

Nov. 28, 2011

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa football defensive coordinator Norm Parker has been named Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association. The announcement came today from the Association’s headquarters in Waco, Texas. Parker was picked for the honor following a vote of his peers. He will be honored at the AFCA National Convention on January 8-11 in San Antonio, Texas.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized by your peers,” said Parker. “There are so many other deserving assistants out there. I want to especially say thank you to Kirk Ferentz, the other assistants I’ve worked with at Iowa, and especially the players I’ve had the good fortune to coach. All of those people are the ones that made this possible. I’ll cherish this award forever.”

Parker is in his 13th year as defensive coordinator at the University of Iowa. He was a finalist for the Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2004 and 2005.

“Norm has impacted our program in a very positive and significant way over the past 13 years. He is an outstanding defensive coach and has served as a great role model and mentor for our entire staff and all of our players,” said Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz.

Under Parker’s direction, the Iowa defense is regarded as one of the most physical, hard-hitting units in the Big Ten and the nation. The Hawkeyes have been bowl eligible in each of the last 11 seasons and have been ranked in the final top 10 of both major polls four times in the past 10 seasons.

Iowa has won 85 games over the past 10 seasons, including 50 Big Ten games. The Hawkeyes earned a share of the Big Ten title in both 2002 and 2004 and tied for second in 2009.

Under Parker’s direction, Iowa has ranked among the top 10 nationally in rushing defense five times. Iowa’s been in the top 10 in scoring defense three of the past four seasons. In 2010, Iowa was fifth nationally in total defense (332.1), sixth in rushing defense (101.5) and seventh in scoring defense (17.0).