Iowa's Parker makes best assistants list

Big Ten Blog

October, 29, 2009

Oct 29

3:00

PM ET

By Adam Rittenberg

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

My colleague Bruce Feldman recently ranked the nation's top 10 assistant coaches (ESPN Insider) this season, and one Big Ten aide made the rundown. Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker checks in at No. 2 after helping the Hawkeyes to an 8-0 start with the defense leading the way.

Parker's unit leads the nation in interceptions (15) and ranks fourth in takeaways (22). The Hawkeyes rank fifth nationally in pass efficiency defense, 14th in points allowed (14.8 points per game) and 18th in total yards allowed (296.5 yards per game).

Feldman writes:

At 68, Parker is no up-and-comer, but the guy has been vastly underrated for years and hopefully this amazing run that the Hawkeyes are on helps him finally get the credit he deserves.

Couldn't agree more. No other Big Ten assistants made Feldman's rundown, but who else deserves some love around the Big Ten? I've been very impressed with these assistants this season.

Ohio State defensive coordinators Jim Heacock and Luke Fickell
Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley
Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson
Iowa defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski
Iowa defensive backs coach Phil Parker
Iowa linebackers and special teams coach Darrell Wilson
Minnesota linebackers coach John Butler
Northwestern wide receivers coach Kevin Johns
Wisconsin defensive line coach Charlie Partridge
Indiana wide receivers coach Billy Lynch
Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson
Michigan State quarterbacks coach Dave Warner
Purdue offensive line coach Shawn Clark

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