Southern Arkansas University head football Coach Bill Keopple recently announced the hiring of Zach Parks to a graduate assistant position for the upcoming 2019 season. Parks enters his first season with the Muleriders and will be in charge of directing the SAU running backs and tight ends.
Parks comes to Magnolia after serving as the offensive line coach for one year at Division II Northern State University (S.D.). While in Aberdeen, Parks coached an offensive line that helped the Wolves’ passing attack rank fourth in the NSIC in passing yards per game and finish in the top ten of the league in total offense.
Prior to Northern State, Parks served three seasons at Dakota Wesleyan and coordinated an offense that ranked in the top-5 in the NAIA for total yards in both 2016 and 2017. In addition to the high yardage marks, the Tigers ranked in the top-10 in the NAIA in points per game, third down conversion percentage, first downs per game, and passing efficiency. He coached the 2016 and 2017 GPAC Offensive Player of the Year in Dillon Turner.
Off the field, Parks implemented the “First Day High Fives” program with the local youth programs in the area and coordinator service projects which totaled over 900 hours each year.
Before his stint at DWU, Parks spent two seasons at the University of Jamestown as the run game/video coordinator. Parks coached three offensive linemen to first team all-conference honors during his time with the Jimmies.
He began his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Montana Western, as a student assistant offensive line coach in 2008. Parks then accepted a full time position with the Bulldogs, spending three seasons as the offensive line coach and one as the defensive line coach and video coordinator. He coached three All-Frontier Conference student-athletes on the offensive line, and guided UMW to a rushing defense improvement of 80 yards per game.
Parks’ collegiate playing career began at Modesto Junior College on the offensive line. He then attended the University of Montana Western where he played for two seasons, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Modern History.