Missouri Monsters Make Coaching Changes

The Missouri Monsters have made a coaching change, announcing the hiring of 24-year veteran coach, John Parker as head coach for the 2013 season. Parker has coached at the professional, college, and high school football levels.
Said Monsters owner Andrew Haines, "I am excited to have John Parker as our head coach for the upcoming season. He has significant football experience, a proven track record as a head coach, and community leader. We wanted the best person both on and off the field to represent the Monsters."
Added Howard Balzer, Monsters senior vice president of operations, "John will bring an unparalleled energy to the job as head coach. Football at any level is about commitment and passion, and John will instill that in his team."
Prior to joining the Monsters, Parker held head coaching positions at Cumberland University (2004 -2006), Cheyney University (1998-2002), and the University of Minnesota-Morris (1995-1998). In 2008, Parker retired as an assistant coach at Tennessee State University.
Known for his ability to build and rebuild programs from the ground up, Parker snapped a NCAA-record 29-game losing streak in his first season at Minnesota-Morris. He did it again in his first season at Cheyney, snapping a NCAA-record 52-game winless drought, which included a 39-game losing streak.. With over 24 years of experience, Parker has held numerous assistant positions with the National Indoor Football League's Show-Believers, Washington and Lee University, East Tennessee State University, The University of Nebraska-Omaha, Michigan Tech University, MacMurry University, and started his college coaching career locally at Washington University in St. Louis, under the tutelage of current head coach Larry Kindbom.
He has also served in the NFL, and has twice interned as a coach with the Philadelphia Eagles under former head coach Ray Rhodes and with the Tampa Buccaneers under former head coach Tony Dungy. He has tutored some top NFL players such as Donnie Abraham (second-round draft choice, 11-year veteran with Tampa Bay, New York Jets), and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (first-round draft choice, Arizona Cardinals, currently with the Philadelphia Eagles).
Parker has held additional service positions, and sits on the Board of Directors of several local organizations such as Athletes & Entertainers Circle of Influence, The Adoption Exchange, AHA Unlimited, and The Viral Cancer Research Foundation. He is a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the United Way. He is a member of the African American Leadership Society, and the former vice president of The Black Coaches and Administrators Association. He is a 25-year member of The American Football Coaches Association. He has received numerous awards in his career including being named by American Football Monthly Magazine as one of the top coaches in the country.
Parker played college football at Ball State University and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri Valley College, and a Masters of Science from the United States Sports Academy. He is the father of two children; daughter, Andrea 14, and son, Jordan 12.