Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker named 2023 Broyles Award winner

On Tuesday, Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker was named the 2023 Broyles Award winner, an annual award given to honor the best assistant coach in college football. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz congratulated Parker in a written statement.

“Phil Parker is an incredible football coach, and I am extremely pleased that he has been recognized for his career success by the Broyles Committee,” Ferentz said. “We simply would not have achieved the success we have as a program without Phil’s dedication and leadership.

“Since 1999, we have benefited from Phil’s expertise and tenacity. Phil is an exceptional coach and teacher. He has helped develop hundreds of student athletes into better football plavers on the field and prepared them to be better men off the field. He is one of a kind, and I am so happy that he has been by my side in this program throughout the past 25 years.”

Phil Parker’s impressive accomplishments

Parker is in his 12th season as Iowa’s defensive coordinator. This is Parker’s first time winning the prestigious award. Under Parker’s guidance, Iowa only allowed opponents to average 274.8 yards per game this season, the fifth-least in the country.

When teams did manage to pick up yards, they rarely converted. The Hawkeyes gave up just 13.23 points per contest, ranking No. 4 nationally. Due to its astounding defense, Iowa reached the Big Ten Championship game for the second time in three years.

Although Iowa’s offense failed to score in the loss, the Hawkeyes held Michigan to a season-low in both total yards (213) and yards per play (3.3); only Penn State held the Wolverines to fewer points (24) this season.

Parker was selected over finalists Mike Bobo (Georgia), Mike Denbrock (LSU), Sherrone Moore (Michigan) and Will Stein (Oregon). Ferentz previously endorsed Parker for the honor.

“He’s had two jobs since he became a full-time coach, which I think says a lot about him and his career,” Ferentz said. “He has been invited to stay both places because he’s phenomenal. He’s an outstanding coach. And just the way those guys have played is really very impressive. It’s a team effort. I’m sure he would tell you that or has told you that.”

Iowa will need Parker’s efforts once more this season. On Jan. 1, the Hawkeyes will go head-to-head against Tennessee at 1 p.m. in the Citrus Bowl. The game will be broadcast on ABC.