PER TWITTER. Tyler Sash was first to express sadness from the sudden passing of former Hawkeye Football defensive coordinator Norm Parker.
R.I.P. Coach Norm Parker. Thank you for everything!
— Tyler Sash (@TSash) January 13, 2014
Matt Kroul was next.
"Boys do what they want to do, Men do what they need to do." One of greatest Men I've ever known... R.I.P. Coach Parker
— Matt Kroul (@KroulFarms) January 13, 2014
And several others followed:
6 seconds of hell #RIPnormparker you will be very missed #gohawks
— Christian_Ballard (@Christian_B99) January 13, 2014
RIP Norm.. You will be missed by many #Hawkeyes
— Andy Brodell (@AndyBrodell) January 13, 2014
That's crazy. You just never know. Last time I was in IC I saw coach Parker & he was asking about my knee, then asked if I was ready to race
— jordan bernstine (@JBernstine) January 13, 2014
RIP Norm.
— Brandon Myers (@myersb83) January 13, 2014
An amazing coach and even better person. Taught so many the true meaning of being a man. #NormParker… http://t.co/OalDCWCjda
— Donny Nordmann (@DonnyNordmann) January 13, 2014
RIP Coach Norm Parker you will be missed by many and remembered #hawkeyes http://t.co/zZAsC2manV
— Marvin McNutt (@McNutt7wr) January 13, 2014
Sad to wake up and hear about Norm. He was great man and coach. His talks were the best #memories
— Adrian Clayborn (@AJaClay) January 13, 2014
Parker was the defensive coordinator at Iowa from 1999-2011. Kirk Ferentz hired Parker prior to his first season as Iowa's head coach. Norm did fantastic things for Iowa, for football in general and off the field too. It's no wonder so many former Hawkeyes are quick to take to social media to express their sadness and offer sympathies.
The University has yet to confirm the sad news. However, per Hawk Central, sources within the University have confirmed his passing. We'll have more as the story develops.