Christian Parker is in his second year on the Norfolk State University football staff. After serving as safeties coach in 2015, Parker will coach the cornerbacks in 2016. He also serves as assistant recruiting coordinator for the Spartan football program.
Last season, Parker helped coach a secondary which tied for second in the MEAC in interceptions, with 12. Safety Leroy Parker was third on the team and 21st in the MEAC with 62 total tackles.
In his role as recruiting coordinator, Parker helped the Spartans sign a 2016 recruiting class that was ranked by Boxtorow as the best class in the MEAC and third among all Division I HBCUs.
Parker came to NSU after a successful two-year stint helping mentor defensive backs at Virginia State University on Latrell Scott’s staff. Parker was cornerbacks coach at VSU in 2014 after serving as a defensive graduate assistant in 2013.
The VSU secondary played a key role in the Trojans’ defensive success in 2013 and 2014, when the Trojans went 19-4 and 15-0 against CIAA competition. VSU’s defense ranked in the Division II top 20 in total defense in both 2013 (12th) and 2014 (20th). Also in 2014, the Trojans led the CIAA and ranked 12th in the nation with 18 interceptions, and ranked 17th nationally in pass defense (174.2 ypg allowed) en route to a 10-3 overall record, the CIAA title and a first-round win in the Division II playoffs.
Parker coached an All-CIAA first-team performer in both of his years with the Trojans, mentoring Sean Smith in 2013 and Darion Thomas in 2014.
A native of Glen Allen, Va., Parker is a 2013 graduate of the University of Richmond with a degree in political science. He was a wide receiver and cornerback for the Spiders and was a member of CAA championship teams in 2009 and 2012. He also ran track for UR.
