Corey Parker is in his second season as Illinois' defensive backs coach in 2025. 

In his first season in Champaign, Parker developed a defensive backfield that was a key factor in the growth of the Fighting Illini's defense. His unit helped the Illini to a 10-3 record, tying the program's single-season wins record, and a final ranking of #16 in the AP Top 25. The season was capped by a 21-17 victory over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in one of the biggest bowl wins in program history, as the defensive backs helped hold the Gamecocks to 14 points under their season scoring average and South Carolina's second-lowest scoring output of the season. Parker mentored All-Big Ten First Team selection Xavier Scott, one of 15 finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back. Scott, with four interceptions, and Torrie Cox Jr., with three, ranked second and sixth in the Big Ten, respectively, in total interceptions during the regular season. The Illini ranked fourth in the league with 12 picks during the regular season, and according to PFF, Illinois’ defense posted a coverage grade of 87.8 on the season, ranking 23rd nationally.

Parker joined the Fighting Illini from Toledo, where he was the Rockets' cornerbacks coach from 2022-23. He was a 13-year high school head coach in the state of Michigan before moving to Toledo, turning River Rouge High School into a state power. Parker had a 113-34 head coaching record at River Rouge, highlighted by winning a state title in 2019. 

In two seasons at Toledo, Parker helped the Rockets go 20-8 with two MAC Championship Game appearances. Toledo made bowl trips in both of Parker's seasons, winning the 2022 RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl and appearing in the 2023 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl. 

Parker coached Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell into a two-time All-American and first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as the No. 22 overall selection and first corner off the board by the Philadelphia Eagles. Mitchell led the nation in passes defended (44) over the two-year span when he played under Parker and added six interceptions. Mitchell set Toledo's all-time record for passes defended and became the second Rocket in history and first since 1970-71 to earn All-America honors in back-to-back seasons. 

Parker's corners helped Toledo rank in the top 10 in passing efficiency defense in both of his seasons with the Rockets. Toledo ranked 10th in the nation in passing efficiency in 2022 (112.2), then improved to eighth in 2023 (110.2), as the team allowed only 20.3 points per game, the 21st-best mark in the nation. 

Toledo also ranked in the top 10 in the nation in PFF's coverage grade during 2022 and 2023, ranking sixth in 2022 then 10th in 2023. The team's discipline was a big part of the defensive success, as Toledo cornerbacks were penalized just seven times in 429 passing attempts in 2022, then matched the number with only seven penalties again in 2023 on 410 passing attempts. 

Parker's cornerback room also featured Chris McDonald Jr., who progressed into an All-MAC selection under Parker's leadership. McDonald had three interceptions and 18 pass breakups from 2022-23, earning a 2023 All-MAC third-team selection and finishing fifth in Toledo history in career pass breakups (32).

At River Rouge (Mich.) High School, Parker also served as the school's dean of students from 2009-21 and athletic director from 2016-21 in addition to his 13 seasons as head football coach. Parker was a three-time regional coach of the year and earned state coach of the year honors in 2015 and 2019, the year he led River Rouge to the Division 3 state title. During his tenure, more than 100 of his players went on to play college football.

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. 

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

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., and two daughters, Avery and Ashlynn.

Coaching Career