Corey Parker | University of Illinois

Corey Parker was named Defensive Backs Coach at Illinois on May 13, 2024.

In his first season at Toledo, Parker mentored sophomore Quinyon Mitchell to multiple All-America honors and a first-team All-MAC selection. Mitchell led the country in passes defended (25) with five interceptions and a school-record 20 pass breakups in 2022. He set Toledo single-game records with four interceptions and two pick sixes against Northern Illinois, as well as five pass breakups at Buffalo. Mitchell was named second-team All America by Walter Camp, Phil Steele, and Pro Football Focus and third-team All-America by the Associated Press.

Parker’s cornerback room in 2022 also featured junior Chris McDonald and sophomores RJ Delancy and Andre Fuller. McDonald broke up seven passes and grabbed an interception while Delancy and Fuller each had three pass breakups. Toledo’s defense intercepted 12 passes in 2022, which ranked third in the Mid-American Conference.

A key component for Toledo's defensive success to win the MAC Championship and Boca Raton Bowl Championship in 2022 was the success of the cornerbacks in containing the explosive plays, as the Rockets held nine opponents to less than 200 yards passing. In six of those games, the opponent was held to less than 100 yards passing. In addition, Toledo cornerbacks were penalized just seven times ( five pass interference, two holding) out of 517 passing attempts in 2022. 

Prior to joining the Toledo coaching staff, Parker served as the head coach at River Rouge (Mich.) High School for 13 seasons where he compiled a 113-34 record. He also served as the school’s dean of students from 2009-21 and athletic director from 2016-21. 

Parker was a three-time regional coach of the year and earned state coach of the year honors in 2015 and 2019. He led River Rouge to a state title in 2019.

Parker inherited a River Rouge High School program that won just eight games in the four years prior to his arrival in 2009 and turned it into a state power. The Panthers qualified for the state playoffs in 12 consecutive seasons under his guidance, earning seven district titles, five regional crowns, five state semifinal appearances and three appearances in the state championship game. River Rouge won the Division 3 state title in 2019. During his tenure, more than 100 of his players went on to play college football.

Parker graduated from St. Martin De Porres High School in Detroit. He was a three-time letterwinner as a defensive back at Eastern Michigan, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 2005. 

Parker began his coaching career as a defensive backs coach at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School in 2006. He went on to coach defensive backs and wide receivers at Ann Arbor Huron High School in 2007 before accepting the position of co-defensive coordinator at Inkster High School in 2008. In 2009 he became the head coach at River Rouge.

Parker and his wife Autumn have three children, a son Corey Jr. (10), and two daughters, Avery (7) and Ashlynn (3).

Corey Parker’s Coaching Experience

2022-23     Toledo - Cornerbacks

2009-21     River Rouge High School - Head Coach

2008          Inkster High School - Co-Defensive Coordinator

2007          Ann Arbor Huron High School - DBs/WRs

2006          University of Detroit Jesuit High School - Defensive Backs