Defensive coordinator Norm Parker for Iowa will hopefully make his first trip in 12 years to Desert as Iowa heads to Insight Bowl vs. Missouri

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is completing his 12Th season 2010 at Iowa this season. He enjoyed nine seasons previously, as offensive line coach under former head coach J. Hayden Fry from 1981 to 1989. Ferentz's right hand man on defense over the past 12 seasons at Iowa has been Norm Parker, who has been coaching college football as an assistant or coordinator, since 1968.

Heck, I began watching college football during the 1974 season, which was my first season as a Hawkeye ticket holder. Thank you, Mom and Dad. Unlike many coaches in today's college game, Norm Parker has been coaching longer than I have been following college football.

Well, back to Norm Parker, Iowa's defensive mastermind as defensive coordinator ...

Iowa has made two trips previously to the Desert during the Kirk Ferentz era (1999 to 2010). In 2004, the Hawkeyes traveled to Arizona State to play a non-conference game with the Sun Devils. Earlier this season, the Hawkeyes traveled to Tucson to face the Arizona Wildcats. In both cases, Norm Parker missed the trips due to health reasons, battling diabetes.

Well, with the Insight Bowl birth with the University of Missouri, Norm Parker will hopefully get that first trip as Iowa's defensive coordinator to the Desert. The always colorful Norm Parker sat down with the Media this past week for the first time, since missing much of the 2010 season, due to medical reasons associated with diabetes.

Insight Central: A Method to Their Madness - University of Iowa Athletics
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- When the Hawkeyes take on No. 14 Missouri in the Insight Bowl, they'll have a key part of their defense back in the press box. ...

December 17, 2010 - Watch Ferentz, O'Keefe, Parker Live - The University of Iowa Athletics

"Before, when I was coaching, it was all about wins and that kind of stuff.
Now it's about being around the guys. I like being around the young guys. I like
being around the coaches. I like being out of the house." - DC Norm Parker

Norm Parker says he'll be back in 2011 - ‎Washington Post
Defensive coordinator Norm Parker being out because of diabetes was the most ... Parker, Iowa's 69-year-old defensive mastermind, was hospitalized by the ...

Hawks' Parker: 'This is really where I want to be' - Quad City Times
IOWA CITY - If ever there were doubts in Norm Parker's mind about his future, all of them sifted away quickly Oct. 23. Iowa's 68-year-old defensive ...

Guess what, Hawkeye fans? Norm's coming back in 2011, if it's up to him - DesMoinesRegister.com (blog) - Sean Keeler
Other than being without a right foot, Norm Parker says he moves "like a rabbit." Iowa City, Ia. — If Norm has his way, he'll be coming back. ...

Norm Parker committed to coaching - Iowa City Press Citizen
Norm Parker rolled into the auditorium of the Iowa football complex Friday afternoon, shuffling along with the assistance of a walker. ...

Norm Parker is like Iowa's version of Joe Paterno. Despite health and age, he doesn't want to step aside and give up coaching. He enjoys being around young student-athletes and remaining active in college football.

peace