Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker during 2011 media day.

Iowa’s December 30th Insight Bowl matchup against Oklahoma will be the final game for long-time Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker who announced he will retire at the end of the season.

 Parker is completing his 13th year as Iowa’s defensive coordinator. Following the 2011 season, Parker was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

He will be honored at the AFCA national convention, January 8-11, in San Antonio, Tex. He was a finalist for the Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2004 and 2005.

Under Parker’s direction, Iowa has ranked among the top 10 nationally in rushing defense five times. Iowa has been in the top 10 in scoring defense three of the past four seasons. In 2010, Iowa was fifth nationally in total defense (332.1), sixth in rushing defense (101.5) and seventh in scoring defense (17.0).