Southern Arkansas University Athletics

Greg Parker returns to the newly-constructed staff after directing the Mulerider wide receivers in 2021. Under Smiley, Parker turns to the defensive side of the football where he will lead the SAU linebackers.
 
Last fall, Parker’s wide outs hauled in 185 of the team’s 207 receptions for 2,416 yards and 21 touchdowns. The unit was highlighted by redshirt junior Micah Small who caught 60 passes for 1,012 yards at 91.0 yards per game with a dozen touchdowns to become just the third different receiver to eclipse 1K receiving and catch at least 12 touchdowns in a single season in program history. Small garnered All-GAC second team recognition.
 
Prior to coming to Magnolia, Parker coached the defensive line at Division II Black Hills State for the 2019 season and at San Jacinto College in 2018.
 
Parker assisted the Arkansas State defense in 2017 serving as a defensive quality control coach for a unit that ranked third in the Sun Belt Conference that season in total defense, interceptions, sacks and turnovers gained. The Red Wolves also led the league and ranked 21^st nationally in third down conversion defense.
 
His first stop in collegiate coaching came in 2013 where he served as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at San Jacinto College through the 2017 season. Under his direction, eight of Parker’s linebackers signed with four-year programs including two each to the FBS and FCS levels.
 
Parker enlisted into the United States Marine Corps on February 5, 1992 and upon his graduation he was assigned as a radio operator. During his 20-year career, Parker served as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina and at UC Berkeley. He deployed to operation Iraqi Freedom and in Afghanistan Operation Enduring Freedom. He retired as a Master Sergeant. Parker’s awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, an Iraqi Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Korean Defense Service Medal.
 
Parker earned a Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Global Business Management from the University of Phoenix.