Bio

Zach Parks enters his first season at Graceland as the Offensive Run Game Coordinator while coaching the offensive line unit. He will also oversee the strength and conditioning for the Yellowjackets.

Parks previously spent three seasons at NCAA Division II Southern Arkansas University as an assistant coach. He oversaw the SAU running backs and tight ends.

Prior to Southern Arkansas Parks served as the offensive line coach for one year at NCAA 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 coordinator/video coordinator. Parks coached three offensive linemen to first team all-conference honors during his time with the Jimmies and won a conference title in 2013.

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. Parks also earned a Master's of Science in Kinesiology from Southern Arkansas University. He and his wife, Lindsey, reside in Lamoni with their two dogs, Royal and Lola.