Norm Parker

So last evening Norm Parker was the guest speaker at the Polk County I-Club event. Here is a brief summary of some of the great things he said:

When asked about the differences from coaching on the sideline vs the press box, Norm said he prefers the sideline, but the press box was warmer. He also said that several games he didn't make it to the locker room for halftime as he was in a wheelchair and didn't have the time to get down there and back up for the start of the second half. They tried a cell phone conversation with the other defensive assistants, but that didn't work very well.

Jared Clauss was in attendance and asked Norm if he remembered recruiting him? Apparently Parker set up the candle sticks on the kitchen table and told Jared that he would be way out here, ie defensive end. Clauss wanted to know how far into his freshman year two-a-days that Norm knew he was a DT and Norm replied, "I knew it sitting at the kitchen table."

When asked about the decision to take a knee at the end of the Ohio State game last year, "I am the defensive coach." He then went on to say that he thought it was the correct decision and he doesn't get too worked up about what the offense does, as defensive coordinator, he has more problems than Hitler.

When asked if he would comment on the recruitment of Seantrel Henderson, Norm politely said, "No." He then said that the kid really liked Iowa and sometimes parents get too involved and it should be the kids choice. He also stated that Iowa was the runner-up in the Mark Ingram recruiting battle, apparently Mark wanted to come to Iowa and then his dad got out of jail and Alabama got in the picture. He didn't elaborate more on this, but I thought it was interesting.

Norm wants Derby as a linebacker, mentions it to him all the time, but doesn't think he is making much progress on convincing AJ.

When asked how long he was going to continue to coach, Norm said that this is the only thing I know how to do, and my wife doesn't like me, so I'll keep doing it for a long time. Went on to say that he has "Phil Parker coaching the DB's, Darrell Wilson the LB's, and Rick Kaczenski the DL, I don't do a damn thing. I walk around from drill to drill and I think the players say 'Uh oh, here comes dipsh*t.' All I do is mess up the drills. I have two jobs at defensive meetings, decide when they start and when to take a piss break."

Spoke about the recruitment of the three Maryland players and stated that for Jim Poggi it was down to Texas, Ohio State, and Iowa and his head coach and father said Iowa, because I trust Kirk.

Had just glowing words for Kirk, said that as fans we don't realize how great he really is. Doesn't have an ego and is very even kilter, no ups and downs. Said that his salary is a bargain for what he does, spends a lot of time at the hospital visiting patients, but doesn't take a camera crew, so you don't hear about it.

Norm was asked about ISU and putting too much emphasis on one game. He said that because it is so early it can be detrimental to a team. Said that UNI played a heck of a game last year, but when it didn't pay off, it is like taking a pin to a balloon. Also said that he can smell the stink of Ames when in Des Moines and is sure we can too when the wind is blowing the right way.

Was asked about Big Ten expansion, he thinks it will happen, as a coach he hopes it isn't Texas, already added a powerhouse in Penn State. He thought if they were going to add Texas, they might as well add the Dallas Cowboys. He would add a team from the East coast.

He was asked about Iowa's chances of winning the Big Ten next year and he said that they could, but Ohio State, the kid they have playing quarterback is a freak. You could tell that he thinks highly of Pryor.

Said that Clayborn is up to 294 and Ballard is 311, Binns is the runt of the group at 265.

You can tell that he expects great things out of the defense next year.

Sash and Greenwood had shoulder surgeries this off season.

Lebron Daniel and Mike Daniels will back up the starting four up front.

Jeremiah Hunter, Jeff Tapinian, Bruce Davis, Tyler Nielson, and Troy Johnson will battle it out for LB

Shaun Prater, Tyler Sash, Brett Greenwood will be three of the four DB's

Bernstein, Hyde, Castillo, and Lowe will battle for the fourth spot

Someone asked him about players we haven't heard much about that we will and he pointed out Herman at TE, Ferentz and Nolan McMillan on the OL, Nielson at safety, and Domonic Alvis in the DL

Praised the DL for allowing the defense to handle the Georgia Tech triple option, said that the DL took away the dive and half the QB, allowing the LB's and DB's to scrape to the outside.

When asked about freshman making an impact, he said that he doesn't count on anyone who was riding a yellow bus a few months ago to make a difference, but if they do that is a bonus.

When asked about the difference between players now and when he started coaching, he said the invention of the facemask took the fear out of the game and allowed players now to run like missles into tackles.

All in all if you ever have a chance to hear Norm speak or field questions, do it. He is well worth the price of admission.