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Phil Parker downplays severe shoulder injury with ‘no big deal’ description

Sean Labar

By Sean Labar

Published:

Phil Parker preaches toughness for the Iowa defense, but last month the 61-year-old took a shot during practice that required him to get surgery before the season.

“Somebody bumped into me and I caught it at a bad angle. Just kind of ripped off the rotator cuff, torn labrum and a bicep. No big deal,” Parker described.

“They say it’s six weeks, but are negotiating that,” Parker said in regard to how long his injury and surgery will require a sling. “It’s a great opportunity to learn how to use my left hand.”

 

Parker was asked if he will consider moving up into the box to coach to avoid similar collisions moving forward, but he didn’t hesitate with his response.

“It’s hard for me to be up in the box just because I like to be down with my players, look in their eyes and see what they are thinking. Understand are they okay, understand what we’re doing,” Parker said. “I just got to be careful.”

Parker is the longest tenured defensive coordinator in the nation. He has recruited and coached six Big Ten Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year honorees since 2012: Cooper DeJean (2023), Riley Moss (2021), Amani Hooker (2018), Josh Jackson (2017), Desmond King (2015) and Micah Hyde (2012). Parker has coached 48 players to All-B1G recognition a total 62 times, including 19 players to first-team all-conference 29 times.

In 2023, the Hawkeyes ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense (14.8) and passing efficiency defense (102.1), fifth in passing yards per game (170.7), and seventh in total defense (282.5) in 2023. The Hawkeyes allowed one touchdown or less in 10 games in 2023 and in 19 of the last 27 games. Iowa’s defense has yielded 400 yards or fewer in 28 straight games dating back to the 2021 season — the longest active streak nationally.

Heading into the 2024 season, Iowa is returning 8 defensive starters from a group that led the nation in fewest yards per play.

Parker understands experience helps his defense but doesn’t want to take anything for granted heading into the new season.

“We’re very experienced, but you still have to play the games on Saturday,” Parker said.

Sean Labar