Kirk Ferentz reacts to Phil Parker being nominated for Broyles Award

Head coach Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes have dealt with numerous questions about the offensive coordinator role. However, there is no doubt that Iowa has one of the best defensive coordinators in the country in Phil Parker.

Now, Parker is being recognized for his excellence this season with a nomination for the Broyles Award. That’s an honor that Ferentz firmly believes he deserves.

“On that topic, I tell Rita to hit the resend button from last year or the year before or the year before,” Kirk Ferentz said. “We won’t win it because we’re not — well, it is what it is. He’s done a great job coaching. He has been here all 25 years, I appreciate that.”

At 60 years old, there are those who believe that Phil Parker deserves his shot at being a head coach. He’s been a defensive assistant at Iowa since 1999, becoming the defensive coordinator in 2012. Prior to that, he spent a decade at Toledo as a defensive backs coach.

“He’s had two jobs since he became a full-time coach, which I think says a lot about him and his career. A, 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. He certainly learned well from Norm [Parker].”

Norm Parker was the defensive coordinator at Iowa before Phil Parker took the role over from him. The two weren’t related, but Norm did coach Phil when he played at Michigan State. Later, he became a mentor in coaching.

“Norm was the all-time best, and we’ve been fortunate to have real continuity in our system, and it has worked out for us. They’re continually tweaking it, looking at it, adjusting it,” Ferentz said. “You have to because things change, but it’s still pretty much the way it was 25 years ago. Obviously a little bit better now, but Phil’s done a great job.”

It’s hard to argue with the success that Iowa has had on defense. To this point in the season, Iowa is third in scoring defense, giving up only 12.3 points per game. Given the Hawkeyes’ struggles on offense, it’s hard to imagine where Iowa would be without Phil Parker.

Kirk Ferentz plans to coach at Iowa ‘until I am no longer passionate about the game’

Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz made the move to dismiss offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz following the season. That came amid several seasons of offensive issues from the group led by head coach Kirk Ferentz’s son.

With that, there was some idea that Kirk Ferentz may move on from coaching. However, he doesn’t have plant to right now.

“While my immediate focus is on finishing the season strong, I love coaching and my intent is to continue coaching here at the University of Iowa. We have built something very special here and I plan to coach until I am no longer passionate about the game, players or coaches,” Ferentz said.

“Things are as they always are, to worry about this game and bigger scale, bigger picture for these four games. That’s where my focus has been this entire season. Obviously there was more than four games a week ago, two weeks ago. That’s what I think about. Each and every year, it’s been pretty consistent, just like the other things I referenced.”