Troy Set to Name Notre Dame OC Gerad Parker as Next Head Coach
After a successful stint as the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Gerad Parker is poised to take the reins as the next head coach at Troy, sources have revealed to ESPN. The deal is expected to be finalized and officially announced on Monday, marking a new chapter for Parker in his coaching career.
A seasoned veteran in the coaching world, Parker has previously served as Purdue’s interim coach and has held assistant coaching positions at esteemed programs such as Penn State, West Virginia, and Duke. His impressive track record and experience have made him an attractive choice for Troy.
Notably, Parker shares a similar background and personality traits with the past two successful coaches at Troy, Neal Brown and Jon Sumrall. Having played at Kentucky alongside both Brown and Sumrall, and having worked alongside Brown during his time at West Virginia, Parker is well-acquainted with the winning culture at Troy.
Parker will be stepping into the shoes of Sumrall, who departed for Tulane after achieving back-to-back Sun Belt titles during his two-season tenure at Troy. With a reputation for high-energy coaching and a diverse range of experience, Parker is expected to invigorate and lead the Troy football program to further successes.
Troy officials were drawn to Parker’s background as an offensive and recruiting coordinator, marking him as a standout candidate for the head coaching position. Athletic director Brent Jones, who played a pivotal role in bringing in Sumrall, has once again made a strategic move in hiring Parker to lead the team.
As Parker departs from Notre Dame, his vacancy leaves one of the most sought-after coordinator positions in the sport. His departure from the Fighting Irish comes at a time when the program has just landed former Duke star quarterback Riley Leonard in the NCAA transfer portal, promising to attract a top talent to fill the role.
Meanwhile, Troy, a school with a rich history of success in football, is set to face off against Duke in the Birmingham Bowl on Saturday. With a commitment to athletic success and significant investment in the football program, Troy is poised to make waves under Parker’s leadership as they continue to compete at the top of their league.