Former UK receiver Gerad Parker named interim head coach at Purdue

by:Kelsey Mattingly10/16/16
[caption id="attachment_209060" align="alignnone" width="600"]via @GerardParker1 Parker on the far left via @GerardParker1[/caption] Purdue fired their football coach, Darrell Hazell this afternoon following a 9-33 record in over three seasons that included a 3-24 Big Ten Conference record. While the program works to find a replacement for the position, former Kentucky Wildcat wide receiver, Gerad Parker, will be leading the team as interim head coach. Mike Bobinski, Purdue athletic director, is confident in Parker's abilities. "I appreciate Gerad taking over on an interim basis and look forward to his leadership and the continued commitment and efforts of our entire football coaching staff." In his time at UK, Parker lettered four years for Kentucky from 2001-2004, showing his talent best as a senior. That year he caught 15 passes for 168 yards after overcoming numerous injuries. He was voted UK's Most Inspirational Player by his teammates in addition to being a top-notch student. Following his playing career, Parker returned to UK as a graduate assistant for spring practice. He later received his first job as a teacher and a coach. From there, a job was offered to him at Purdue as the tight ends coach in 2013 and later the wide receivers coach in 2015. It was there he remained until this afternoon when Purdue announced he would be the interim head coach following the dismissal of Darrell Hazell. If anyone knows how it feels to be at the bottom of the football totem pole, it is certainly Kentucky. We wish the best of luck to our former Wildcat as he takes on this new position in hopes to turn things around for the Boilermakers. But as always, Go Big Blue!  

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