Parker Named Semifinalist for Broyles Award

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the 2020 Broyles Award, which honors college football’s top assistant coach.

Parker, who is also Iowa’s defensive backs coach, is one of four assistant coaches from the Big Ten to be named a semifinalist. Norm Parker was a finalist for the award in 2004 and 2005.

This season, Parker has led an Iowa defense that ranks second in the conference in total defense (313.8), third in scoring defense (16.0) and rush defense (107.6), and fourth in pass defense (206.1).   The Hawkeyes also rank second in the Big Ten in sacks (22.0) and tackles for loss (52.0).

Parker’s defense has played 22 consecutive games without surrendering 25 points, which is the longest streak in the nation among Power 5 teams.

Iowa’s defensive secondary ranks third in the Big Ten with 11 interceptions and the team’s 64 interceptions since 2017 are the most by any team in the country.

Iowa’s game against Michigan on Saturday has been canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Michigan football program. The Hawkeyes will learn their postseason bowl plans Dec. 20.