Gerad Parker Named Troy Head Coach
Notre Dame never lacks for drama this time of the year and two days before National Signing Day and 11 days before the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, Marcus Freeman will be looking for a new offensive coordinator.
Gerad Parkerhas been named the new head coach at Troy as he takes over for Jon Summeral, who led the Trojans to a 23-4 record over the last two seasons.
Pete Thamel of ESPN reported the expected hire first and Freeman confirmed the news with a statement.
“Congratulations to Gerad as he takes on this great opportunity at Troy,” Freeman stated. “I have had the chance to work closely with Gerad for a number of years and what stands out to me the most are his leadership skills and how tirelessly he works to get the most out of his players. We wish Gerad and his family all the best on their new adventure.”
Parker, who joined the Notre Dame staff in 2022 as the tight ends coach, was named offensive coordinator in 2023 as Tommy Rees left for Alabama.
The Irish finished in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense (8th) at 39.1 ppg, which was the second-highest in program history. Notre Dame also averaged 5.3 yards per rush (11th) and that was the seventh highest in Notre Dame history. The Irish offense also averaged 7.0 yards per play, which matched the 2015 team for the program record.
All-American running back Audric Estimè was the heart and soul of Parker’s offense as he ran for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2023.
In 2022, Parker helped tight end Michael Mayer earn All-America status and end his career as Notre Dame’s all-time leader in receptions for the position. Mayer finished the 2022 campaign with 67 catches for 809 yards and nine touchdowns.
Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman will now start the process of searching for an offensive coordinator for the second year in a row. One can only hope it goes smoother than a year ago as the Andy Lugwig fiasco hasn’t quite been removed from the minds of folks around college football.
That said, Freeman has made calls and hired folks he’s worked with before and that first call would likely be to LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, who has not only coached with Freeman, but he’s coached at Notre Dame on two separate occasions with the most recent being 2010-2016.
Gerad Parker Coaching History
2005-06 - Raceland HS (Ky.) WR/DBs
2007 - Kentucky GA
2008 - UT Martin Running Backs
2009-10 - UT Martin WR/Pass Game Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator
2011-12 - Marshall WRs
2013-14 - Purdue TEs/Recruiting Coordinator
2015-16 - Purdue WRs/ Recruiting Coordinator
2016 - Purdue Interim Head Coach
2017 - Cincinnati RB coach
2018 - Duke Football Ops Assistant
2019 - Penn State WRs/Passing Game Coord
2020-21 - WVU OC/WR
2022 - Notre Dame TE coach
2023 - Notre Dame OC/TE
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