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Head Coach Mike Riley has completed his 2016 University of Nebraska coaching staff, hiring John Parrella as the Huskers’ defensive line coach.
A standout defensive lineman at Nebraska and in the National Football League, Parrella comes to Nebraska after two seasons as an assistant coach at Northern Michigan University. A native of Grand Island, Neb., Parrella was an All-Big Eight defensive tackle for the Huskers in 1992 and went on to a 12-year NFL career.
“We are proud to bring John Parrella home to Nebraska as our defensive line coach,” Riley said. “John will bring great energy and expertise to our defensive staff. He knows what it means to wear a Blackshirt, and has the personality to connect with his players and prospective student-athletes.”
Parrella has made a fast rise in the coaching profession after his long playing career. Prior to his two seasons on the Northern Michigan staff, Parrella served as an assistant coach at Chabot Junior College in Hayward, Calif., in 2013. Chabot finished first in the Golden Gate Conference and won the Top of the State Bowl game for the Central Division Championship.
Parrella first made his mark as a coach at Valley Christian High School in San Jose, Calif. Parrella started the varsity program at the school and guided the Vikings to four straight North Coast Section Division IV playoff appearances. In his first season, he led Valley Christian to the semifinals of the NCS playoffs.
The success in coaching followed Parrella’s championship playing career at both the collegiate and professional levels. Parrella was a two-time All-Big Eight selection at Nebraska in 1991 and 1992, and was a team captain in his senior season. Parrella was a part of three Big Eight title teams during his Husker career, and was the 1992 Nebraska Lifter of the Year. Parrella was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
A second-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1993, Parrella played 12 seasons in the NFL. He played in three Super Bowls, one each with the Bills, San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders. During Parrella’s final three seasons with the Chargers from 1999 to 2001, Riley served as San Diego’s head coach and NU defensive coordinator Mark Banker was also on the Chargers’ staff. Parrella finished his career with 26.5 sacks and more than 400 total tackles.