Stop the presses: Phil Parker is one of the best coordinators in college football.
The Iowa defense started the season slowly, and forced only three turnovers in the first five games of the season.
Head Coach Kirk Ferentz was adamant that everyone had been performing well in practice, and if they stayed the course, the turnovers would come.
After their crushing 20-15 defeat against Indiana, the Hawkeyes' defense has been nearly unbeatable, forcing nearly three turnovers per game in the three games that followed.
A big reason why the Hawkeyes defense has been successful this year is that the unit has stayed mistly healthy, and as long as Parker is in charge, everyone knows how tough the defense will be.
Through eight games this season, the Iowa defense ranks No. 2 in yards per game (234.9), and No. 6 in points per game (13.1)
The defense also ranks T-No. 27 in turnovers per game (0.63), forcing nearly a turnover per game this season.
After the Hawkeyes held rival Minnesota to only three points and 133 yards of total offense, Parker was named the Big Ten Conference's Coordinator of the Week.
Our @CBSSports conference coordinators of the week: pic.twitter.com/RGFCqwU4Ih
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) October 27, 2025
CBS Sports named Parker the Coordinator of the Week after a dominating display against Minnesota before the squad heads into their second bye week this upcoming weekend.
Parker could have been named the Coordinator of the Week two of the past three weeks after the defense blanked Wisconsin 37-0 and forced three turnovers, but everyone knows how good a coordinator he is.
The Hawkeyes face another big test on November 8 as they welcome the Oregon Ducks to Kinnick Stadium.
The Ducks' offense is ranked No. 6 in scoring offense (41.3 points per game), No. 8 in rushing offense (237.0 yards per game), and No. 10 in total offense (483.9 yards per game).