Amputated foot will not sideline Iowa's defensive coordinator Norm Parker.
Sadly, Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker had his right foot amputated last month due to complications from his battle with diabetes. Though he has been hospitalized since September, head coach Kirk Ferentz is anxiously waiting for Parker’s return to spur an Iowa defensive that ranks 4th in the nation allowing only 242.2 yards per game. Ferentz is more than confident that Parker will be back coaching prior to the end of the season and Parker wants nothing more but to be back.
Parker is a 12-year veteran who is well respected and considered one of the best in the business. Most notably in 2008 and 2009 he had top 10 defenses that were both quick and aggressive, shutting down South Carolina in the 2009 Outback Bowl (31-10) and ACC Champs Georgia Tech in the 2010 Orange Bowl (24-14). This season, the Hawkeyes are only giving up a stingy 10.2 points per game.
Iowa (4-1) is currently ranked 15th in the nation with a lone loss to Arizona in week 3. With Iowa facing Ohio State late in the season on November 20th in what some consider the de facto Big Ten championship game, nothing will motivate the Iowa defense more than Parker on the sidelines calling the shots.
