Jack Parker (ice Hockey) - Coaching Career

Coaching Career

Immediately after graduating, Parker was named head coach at Medford High School. After only one year, he returned to BU as an assistant under his former college coach, Jack Kelley, and helped lead the Terriers to two consecutive national championships in 1971 and 1972. After Kelley retired, Parker was promoted to B-team coach under his successor, Leon Abbott.

Abbott was abruptly fired on December 21, 1973 for withholding information about the eligibility of two Canadian players who had played junior hockey in their native country, even though a judge questioned the constitutionality of the rules allegedly violated. Parker was named his successor.

He enters the 2011-12 season with an overall record of 876-456-113 (.645). He is only the third coach to top 800 wins, and the first to do it with one team. His 876 wins are far and away the most in BU history, and the most for any collegiate coach at one school. He ranks second in total wins among active coaches, and third overall, behind only Jerry York of Boston College and retired Coach Ron Mason. Jack Parker was named the NCAA Coach of the Year three times, the first after the 1974-75 season, again after the 1977-78 season and a third time after 2008-09. Parker was also named the Hockey East Coach of the Year after the 1985-86, 1991–92, 1999–2000, 2004–05 and 2005-06 seasons. On January 30, 2009, Parker claimed his 800th win in a 3-1 victory over Merrimack College. On April 11, 2009, Parker won his 30th NCAA tournament game and third team national title.

Parker has had a hand in more than two-thirds of BU's all-time wins. Apart from his one year as Medford High's coach, he has spent his entire adult life at BU as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

Parker is loved and revered by Boston University students; so much, in fact, that Rhett's, a popular grill, has unveiled the Parker Burger. It is a Cheeseburger consisting of fresh, not frozen ground beef, bleu cheese, and bacon.