OFFICIAL: Notre Dame hires Gerad Parker as next tight ends coach
That didn’t take too long. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given it is one of the most-coveted position group spots in the country.
Notre Dame has a new tight ends coach in West Virginia co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach Gerad Parker. Just under two weeks ago, reports signaled Notre Dame was expected to hire him following a Feb. 1 interview, and the decision was finalized on Monday.
“I have been fortunate enough to coach with Gerad previously in our careers,” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said, per a university press release. “The energy he brings each and every day is contagious. It is part of what makes him a great leader. He is also a very detailed teacher and that combination of skills is going to make us a better program.”
The offensive-minded coach knows Freeman from time spent at Purdue and his brief stint as the running backs coach at Cincinnati in 2017.
In addition to those two schools, Parker has previously had stops at Penn State and Duke. He briefly served as the interim head coach for the Boilermakers in 2016 and has coached several offensive positions: tight ends, receivers and running backs. Additionally, he was the recruiting coordinator at Purdue for four years from 2013-16, so he brings that experience to a Notre Dame staff set on improving recruiting.
The 41-year-old was to share the offensive coordinator duties beginning this year, and he served as the sole offensive coordinator and receivers coach for the Mountaineers from 2020-21.
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Parker is originally from Kentucky and played college football for the Wildcats, but his career was plagued by obstacles in the form of a broken collarbone and a leg injury. Kentucky also had three head coaches during his five years in Lexington. Parker ultimately finished his time at Kentucky with 15 receptions for 168 yards.
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Parker and his wife, Kandi, have three daughters: Kolbi, Gwyneth and Rosalyn and a son, Oliver.
The former coordinator will replace John McNulty, who was formally named the new offensive coordinator at Boston College on Feb. 1.
Parker inherits loaded TE room
To say Parker is starting in South Bend with a solid foundation is a gross understatement. He will have arguably the best tight end in the nation in Michael Mayer at his disposal, along with five additional scholarship tight ends. Mayer led the team in receptions last season and is poised to be a first-round NFL Draft selection in 2023.
Additionally, Notre Dame will add two true freshmen tight ends this summer in Eli Raridon and Holden Staes. Freeman recently touted the incoming players, saying Notre Dame may need to delve into 12 and 13 personnel (two and three tight end packages) often to get all of its talent at the position on the field.
