Chris Ash Tabs Kenny Parker to Lead Strength & Conditioning
Dec 18 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers head football coach Chris Ash named Kenny Parker Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, it was announced today. Parker has spent the previous four seasons as an assistant with the Ohio State football program.
"I am excited to welcome Kenny to Rutgers football program," said Ash. "In our past two seasons together at Ohio State I have recognized Kenny's tremendous work ethic and his ability to get the most out of our players. Having Kenny on staff will be a major asset as we work to build a team that is both physically tough and mentally prepared to compete in the Big Ten."
Prior to joining Rutgers, Parker has served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Ohio State. A 2005 graduate of the University of Florida, Parker came to Ohio State after two seasons as a defensive line coach and strength coach at Murray State University.
Parker, who also spent a year in a director of player development capacity while at Murray State, was responsible for all of the Racers' in-season and off-season training in his strength coach role. His players made great strides in the weight room, and on the field his defensive line helped the Racers rank fourth nationally in tackles-for-loss as it combined for 54 TFLs, including 16 quarterback sacks.
Parker spent 10 years as a player and/or coach with the Gators, and was part of the Gators' programs when the team won a National Championship and three Southeastern Conference titles.
His playing career with the Gators spanned 2000 through 2004, including red-shirt seasons in 2001 and 2002 because of a back injury. He was a starting defensive tackle in 2003 and 2004. Following his graduation in 2005 (sociology), Parker worked in a number of roles with UF, including as a defensive intern, graduate assistant and as an assistant director with the school's football camps. He left Florida after the 2009 season for his positions at Murray State.
Parker played his prep ball at Northside (Ga.) High School, where he was a USA Today All-American and was rated as one of the nation's top 20 defensive tackles by Rivals.com. Parker was a two-time all-state honoree and played in the Florida-Georgia all-star game as a senior.
Parker and his wife Melissa are from Warner Robins, Ga. The couple has a young daughter, Kyndal, and twin boys Kellen and Kaden.
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