Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz has often acknowledged the importance of rivalry games for the program and for the fans, but the coaching staff and players are not focused on them.
No one told Phil Parker that the rivalry with Iowa and Nebraska is only between the fans.
The long-time Iowa assistant coach and defensive coordinator is a man of very few words, but lets his team do the talking on the field.
Outside of the strange issues the Hawkeyes have had with tackling this season and a few late-game mishaps, the unit has been solid throughout.
At the end of the regular season, the Iowa defense ranks No. 8 overall in scoring defense (14.7 points per game) and passing yards allowed per game (158.2), while also ranking No. 9 in total defense (270.6 yards per game), and No. 23 in rushing yards allowed per game (112.4).
It is not rare for the Hawkeyes to have a solid defensive unit under Phil Parker. What is rare: Parker tweeting on social media.
Another Black Friday, another hard-fought win. Proud of this crew — stood tall when it mattered most. Trophy sails home again. 🏆🐤⚓️🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/NHf0hHsnr0
— Phil Parker (@CoachParkerIowa) November 29, 2025
Parker is not what you would call an avid social media user, and he only tweets after the Hawkeyes beat Nebraska.
Over the past five years, Parker has tweeted only four times, and all four of those times were after Iowa defeated Nebraska.
He did not send a single tweet in 2023, and that coincides with the Hawkeyes failing to beat Nebraska that season.
The Hawkeyes' biggest rival is Iowa State, but Parker does not tweet after those wins, only after wins over Nebraska.
The rivalry between Iowa and Nebraska means a little more to Phil Parker, and it is comical that he only tweets once a year when Iowa beats them.