Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker is one of the best in college football. The Hawkeyes have been known for tough, physical, stingy defense ever since he got to Iowa City, named defensive backs coach in 1999, DC in 2012.
They call his system "Cover 8." The linebackers and defensive backs fly to the football and hunt down turnovers. They swarm against the run. They are disciplined, consistent and punishing. In 2022 and 2023 his unit ranked No. 1 in the country in yards per play defense, and they almost always rank high.
Parker squeezes every ounce of ability out of his players, develops them, hones their technique and understanding of the game.