University of North Texas Athletics
Football
Kirkland Parker
- Title:
- Assistant Coach, Safeties
- Email:
- UNTFootball@unt.edu
Kirkland Parker was hired as safeties coach for UNT football in March of 2026.
He joined the UNT staff after spending the 2023-25 seasons at the University of Washington as a quality control coach. In his three seasons with the Huskies, UW appeared in a bowl game each year, including the program's first appearance in a National Championship game in 2023 as well as wins in the 2023 Sugar Bowl and the 2025 LA Bowl.
Parker worked directly with the defensive backs in his time at UW and helped develop 2024 fifth round NFL draft pick Dominique Hampton as well as current Jacksonville Jaguars DB Jabbar Muhammad. In 2024, the Huskies finished sixth in the nation allowing just 172.3 passing yards per game.
Prior to his time with the Huskies, Parker spent time on staff at East Central University, Ottawa University, West Texas A&M and Mater Dei High School in California.
At East Central, Parker was the defensive backs coach in 2022 and helped the Tigers lead the nation in turnovers forced and turnover margin en route to winning the Heritage Bowl. The 2022 EC secondary featured five All-conference selections including future NFL DB Donovan Callis.
Prior to his time at East Central, Parker coached the 2021 season at West Texas A&M where he mentored All-Super region selection and future CFL player Tobias Harris. He also spent the 2021 spring season as the DBs coach at Ottawa University in Arizona.
Parker started his coaching career at Mater Dei High School, one of the top high school programs in the nation where he oversaw the defensive backs.
Parker played at Washington State from 2015-17 after starting his career at Blinn College in 2014. In three seasons with the Cougars, Parker played in 31 games and finished his career with 37 tackles, four PBU, 1.5 TFL and a forced fumble while playing for legendary head coach Mike Leach. He graduated from Washington State in 2017.
Coaching History
2020: Mater Dei High School, Defensive Backs
2021 (Spring): Ottawa University, Defensive Backs
2021: West Texas A&M, Defensive Backs
2022: East Central, Defensive Backs
2023-25: Washington, Quality Control
2026-Present: UNT, Safeties
He joined the UNT staff after spending the 2023-25 seasons at the University of Washington as a quality control coach. In his three seasons with the Huskies, UW appeared in a bowl game each year, including the program's first appearance in a National Championship game in 2023 as well as wins in the 2023 Sugar Bowl and the 2025 LA Bowl.
Parker worked directly with the defensive backs in his time at UW and helped develop 2024 fifth round NFL draft pick Dominique Hampton as well as current Jacksonville Jaguars DB Jabbar Muhammad. In 2024, the Huskies finished sixth in the nation allowing just 172.3 passing yards per game.
Prior to his time with the Huskies, Parker spent time on staff at East Central University, Ottawa University, West Texas A&M and Mater Dei High School in California.
At East Central, Parker was the defensive backs coach in 2022 and helped the Tigers lead the nation in turnovers forced and turnover margin en route to winning the Heritage Bowl. The 2022 EC secondary featured five All-conference selections including future NFL DB Donovan Callis.
Prior to his time at East Central, Parker coached the 2021 season at West Texas A&M where he mentored All-Super region selection and future CFL player Tobias Harris. He also spent the 2021 spring season as the DBs coach at Ottawa University in Arizona.
Parker started his coaching career at Mater Dei High School, one of the top high school programs in the nation where he oversaw the defensive backs.
Parker played at Washington State from 2015-17 after starting his career at Blinn College in 2014. In three seasons with the Cougars, Parker played in 31 games and finished his career with 37 tackles, four PBU, 1.5 TFL and a forced fumble while playing for legendary head coach Mike Leach. He graduated from Washington State in 2017.
Coaching History
2020: Mater Dei High School, Defensive Backs
2021 (Spring): Ottawa University, Defensive Backs
2021: West Texas A&M, Defensive Backs
2022: East Central, Defensive Backs
2023-25: Washington, Quality Control
2026-Present: UNT, Safeties
Spring Football 2026 Media Availability 3/20 | Mean Green FB
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