Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker was named the American Football Coaches Association’s Assistant Coach of the Year on Monday, according to a release.

The 13th-year Hawkeye aide will be honored at the national convention in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 8-11, 2012.

"It’s truly an honor to be recognized by your peers," Parker said in a statement. "There are so many other deserving assistants out there … I’ll cherish this award forever."

Parker’s teams have historically been among the best in the country. The 2010 Hawkeyes were perhaps the best example; the Black and Gold were the fifth-best total defense in the nation, giving up just 332.1 yards per game, and finished sixth in rushing defense (101.5 yards per game) and seventh in scoring defense (17 points per game).

The 2011 Iowa defense wasn’t as successful, finishing in the bottom half of the Big Ten in all four major categories — and dead-last against the pass.

"Norm has affected our program in a very positive and significant way over the past 13 years," head coach Kirk Ferentz said in the release. "He’s an outstanding defensive coach and has served as a great role model and mentor for our entire staff and all of our players."

— by Seth Roberts