Coach Mike Parker has passed away
Mike Parker (third from the right) was an assistant coach on Fred Aker’s staff.
The funeral Mass will be held at St. Williams Catholic Church, 620 Round Rock West, Round Rock, TX 78681, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025. The recitation of the rosary will precede the mass at 9 am. Following the funeral mass, there will be a reception at the Parish Hall.
The football world and the communities of Round Rock, Texas, and Hugo, Oklahoma, are mourning the loss of Mike Parker, a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran, former University of Arkansas football standout, former University of Texas defensive line coach, and respected real estate broker in Round Rock. Parker passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025, leaving behind a legacy defined by courage, leadership, and unwavering dedication both on and off the field.
Born and raised in Hugo, Oklahoma, Mike was a standout athlete and the son of legendary high school football coach Vancile “Buff” Parker. His grit and talent earned him the final scholarship spot on the University of Arkansas football team under the leadership of Head Coach Frank Broyles. It was a decision that would help shape Razorback history. Mike became team captain in his senior year, was named Defensive Player of the 1963 Sugar Bowl, and made his hometown beam with pride. One friend recalled, “Mike Parker was a hero as I grew up in Hugo. I remember watching the Sugar Bowl game, all Hugoites were so proud.”
Mike Parker built an extraordinary legacy on the sidelines as well. After college, he began a coaching career that spanned more than two decades, with positions at USMC Quanitico, Southern Methodist University (SMU), and the University of Southern Mississippi. Most notably, he served as the defensive line coach for the University of Texas at Austin from 1977 to 1985 under Head Coach Fred Akers.
During his tenure, the Longhorns won the Southwest Conference in 1977 and were named the Co-National Champions. They secured another SWC Champion title in 1983 and competed in the 1984 Cotton Bowl for the National Championship against Georgia. Coach Parker became known as the “Million Dollar Coach” for consistently leading the nation’s top-ranked #1 defensive line and producing a remarkable number of players who went on to have successful careers in the NFL.
As a defensive line coach, Parker mentored numerous Longhorn greats: Brad Shearer (Outland Trophy Award Winner and All-American), Steve McMichael (All-American and NFL Hall of Fame), Kenneth Sims (Lombardi Award Winner and All-American), Tony Degrate (Lombardi Award Winner and All-American) and many more UT Longhorn legends.
Former UT All-American and NFL player, Raymond Woodard, wrote in a tribute, “Mike Parker was our DT coach at UT. The best position coach I ever had and a tremendous leader. RIP Coach Parker, I’m a better man for having you in my life.” Another said: “He coached many Longhorn legends. He was a hell of a good guy and will be missed.” RC Slocum said, “R.I.P. Mike. We spent a lot of time on the recruiting trail going head-to-head. You were a good guy.” “A life well lived for sure! A wonderful man, mentor and Coach to those of us that played for him. Best Coach I ever had for sure! He will be missed but his legacy lives on for many of us. God Bless you and the family. RIP Mike!” -John Haines, UT All-American and NFL player. Stephen Ross wrote, “I was heartbroken to hear of the passing of Mike. He was a great coach, but a better man. He loved his players, he loved football, but there was much more to him than just that. As a reporter I loved that he was a straight shooter and a great storyteller. As a friend, I admired his loyalty and ability to connect with just about anyone. In those younger days Mike was part of a group of us that would play doubles tennis during lunch in the summertime. Tough competitor but smiling all the way.”
Mike Parker also served his country and community with distinction. Nicknamed “Saigon Mike” by his beloved UT players, Mike served with honor as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps from 1965 to 1969 before beginning his coaching career. A Vietnam combat veteran, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Sharpshooter Badge for the.45 pistol. Even while stationed stateside, Mike’s passion for leadership continued, he both played for and coached the Marine Corps football team at Quantico, exemplifying his lifelong commitment to excellence, discipline, and service.
After retiring from football, Parker transitioned into real estate. In 1995 he founded, Mike Parker & Company Real Estate, serving the Round Rock and Austin Metro area with the same integrity and work ethic that defined his earlier life. His company became known for “down-home sensibilities with first-class service.” Mike was an active member of the St. Williams Catholic church for over 47 years and served as an usher and member of The Knights of Columbus. In addition, he was active in Sertoma for over 20 years and served as President.
Mike Parker loved quail hunting, especially with his brothers, fishing for big mouth bass, playing golf and hunting for golf balls, and watching football. The world stopped when Mike Parker was hungry He loved eating BBQ, fried chicken, and Tex Mex.
But most of all, Mike Parker LOVED his wife, kids and grandkids. He was a devoted family man. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 55 years, Janice Parker; his children Michael Parker, Nathali Parker Weisman (Johnny), Karen Parker Rogers (Guy); and his cherished grandchildren, Claire Parker, Amelia Parker, and Ewing Rogers. He is also survived by his brothers, Bill Parker (Barbara) of Ardmore, OK, and Tom Parker of Hugo, OK, as well as his sister-in-law, Charlene Parker of Atlanta, GA.
He is preceded in death by his father, Vancile “Buffalo” Parker; his mother, Margaret Wheeler Parker; and his brother, Vancile G. Parker (Charlene) of Atlanta, GA.
Mike was a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.
The funeral mass will be held at St. Williams Catholic Church 620 Round Rock West, Round Rock, TX 78681 at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025. The recitation of the rosary will precede the mass at 9 a.m. Following the funeral mass there will be a reception at the Parish Hall.
There will be a private burial at Fort Sam Houston at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Vincent DePaul at St. Williams Catholic Church or a charity of your choice.
There will be a private burial at Fort Sam Houston on another day.
From Stephen Ross
Jul 15, 2025, 1:36 PM (18 hours ago)
to me
Billy: I was heartbroken to hear of the passing of Mike. He was a great coach, but a better man. He loved his players, he loved football, but there was much more to him than just that.
As a reporter I loved that he was a straight shooter and a great story teller.
As a friend, I admired his loyalty and ability to connect with just about anyone.
In those younger days Mike was part of a group of us that would play doubles tennis during lunch in the summertime. Tough competitor, but smiling all the way.
This is a photo that I took at the 1982 Cotton Bowl game against Bama. Kenneth was out with an injury. Great trio of men that are missed.
Coach Rodney Page says Coach Parker’s wife, Janice, and I were on the founding faculty at McNeil HS back in 1992. We also had children who were classmates from middle school through high school.
In an article written by Papiya Chatterjee about Kennth Simms Coach Parker is part of the story.
“RIP”: Longhorns Fans in Mourning as Texas Football Legend and Former No.1 Pick Dies at 65 By Papiya Chatterjee Mar 22, 2025 | 8:49 AM EDT
Mike Parker was the Texas defensive line coach when he received that frantic call from Dabbs about Sims. Once Sims knew that Parker was recruiting him, he made up his mind. “I came here because of Parker. My mother thinks he’s the salt of the earth, which he is. I’m friends with his family today. He’s a Marine, Purple Heart. He’s a real tough guy, and that’s why we were all tough,” the defensive lineman said as per an excerpt in the book “What it Means to Be a Longhorn.” Yet, it all could’ve been so different. Sims nearly became an Aggie before he was a Longhorn.
Mike Mushulatubbe Simpson
on Sunday
Mike Parker was a hero as I grew up in Hugo, Oklahoma. The son of the High school football coach, Mike was the star of the Buffaloes. But, was a marginal college prospect. As I understood it, Mike was perhaps the last player to receive a scholarship from the University of Arkansas.
Coach Frank Broyles must have seen something in this Chickasaw/Comanche defensive safety. Mike ultimately became the Captain of the Razorbacks his senior year. Walking away wih the Defensive Playe…
Former University Of Texas Defensive Football Coach Mike Parker Passed Away, Leaving Behind A Huge Legacy
Rovik Parajuli
This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on July 14, 2025
The football world and the community of Hugo, Oklahoma, are mourning the loss of Mike Parker, a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran, former University of Texas defensive line coach, and respected real estate broker in the Austin area.
Parker passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy marked by courage, leadership, and dedication both on and off the field.
Born and raised in Hugo, Oklahoma, Mike was a standout athlete and the son of the high school football coach.
Though a marginal college prospect out of high school, Parker’s grit and talent earned him the final scholarship spot on the University of Arkansas football team.
It turned out to be a decision that would shape Razorback history.
Mike became the team captain in his senior year, was named Defensive Player of the Sugar Bowl, and made his hometown beam with pride.
One friend wrote,
“Mike Parker was a hero as I grew up in Hugo. I remember watching that Sugar Bowl game, all of us Hugoites were so proud.”
Via Facebook
Mike Parker Had A Legacy On The Sidelines
After college, Parker began a coaching career that spanned more than two decades, holding positions at Southern Mississippi, the University of Wyoming, and SMU.
In addition, he was most famously the University of Texas at Austin coach, where he served from 1977 to 1985 under Coach Fred Akers.
As a defensive line coach, Parker mentored numerous Longhorn greats, including Brad Shear, Steve McMichael, Kenneth Sims, and Tony Degrate.
One former player wrote in tribute,
“Mike Parker was our DT coach at UT. The best position coach I ever had and a tremendous leader. RIP Coach Parker, I’m a better man for having you in my life.”
Another said:
“He coached many Longhorn legends. He was a hell of a good guy and will be missed.”
Via Facebook
Mike Parker Also Provided To The Country And The Community
Before football, Mike served with honor as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps from 1965 to 1969.
A Vietnam combat veteran, he was a recipient of both the Purple Heart and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
He even coached and played football at Quantico, where he continued his commitment to leadership in every arena he touched.
After retiring from football, Parker transitioned into real estate.
In 1995, he founded Mike Parker & Company Real Estate, serving the Austin metro area with the same integrity and work ethic that defined his earlier life.
His company became known for “down-home sensibilities with first-class service.”
Mike never lost touch with his roots. He regularly attended Hugo High School reunions and remained a beloved figure in the community.
Coach Dean Campbell says about Coach Parker,
I had the good fortune of coaching with Mike at Texas in the mid 80s. Two things that Mike did made him unique and so effective. The first was his ability to teach technique football to defensive linemen. Our scheme was very simple and we did not ask our defensive linemen to play a lot of different techniques. We played what we called an inside shade technique on the offensive guard and the defensive tackle had A gap responsibility. Mike taught his tackles the importance of hand placement, separation from the blocker, and ruthless pursuit of the ball carrier or getting in the QB lap on passes. During that period of time he also taught the defensive linemen to give a signal to the linebackers and secondary pre snap to alert them of a pass play coming. Mike taught his lineman to read the stance of the offensive linemen. In those days all offensive linemen were in a three point stance so if they had a little of their weight forward they were going to run block. If they had very little weight on their hand and their heels on the ground, it was going to be a pass because the linemen had to stand up out of their stance to pass protect. If they would show a light stance pre snap, the defensive lineman would raise their arm behind them to alert our defense that a pass was coming. As the secondary coach, that was a huge help to our defensive backs. Mike was a tremendous teacher of techniques and was regarded as the best defensive line coach in college football. Mike loved kids and they loved playing for him. His track record of developing talent was second to none. My condolences to the Parker family. We are keeping you in our prayers. Dean Campbell Sent from my iPhone
Rest in peace, Coach Parker!
