Buddy Parker
Coaching Record
| Years Coached | Record | Win % | Playoff record | Playoff win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 143-129-9 | 52.49% | 4-2 | 66.67% |
Coaching Tree
Parents:
Children:
Harry Gilmer, Bill McPeak, Buster Ramsey, George Wilson
Biography
Career Summary
Buddy Parker was a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 1943 to 1978, finishing his career as the special assistant coach of the St. Louis Cardinals. Over his twenty-three years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative win/loss record of 143-129-9. During his career he was a head coach for fifteen seasons, first with the Chicago Cardinals. He led the Cardinals for one season, compiling a record of 6-5-1. His next head coaching stint was with the Detroit Lions from 1951 to 1956, as he led the team to a 47-23-2 record. During his time leading the Lions the team won the championship in 1952 and 1953. His third head coach placement began in 1957 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He coached them for eight seasons and the team had a 51-47-6 record during his tenure. During his entire head coaching career, his three teams combined for a record of 104-75-9 across fifteen seasons including going 3-1-0 in the playoffs.
Buddy Parker Coaching Tree
Before he was a head coach, Parker served as an assistant coach for Phil Handler, Jimmy Conzelman, Bo McMillin, and Bud Wilkinson. Three of these years were spent on Conzelman's coaching staff. During his time as head coach, four assistant coaches, (George Wilson, Buster Ramsey, Harry Gilmer, and Bill McPeak) on his coaching staff were hired as head coaches across the league. His coaching tree has combined for a record of 110-162-14 in the regular season and 2-0 in the playoffs during their twenty-one seasons as head coach after serving on his coaching staffs. The coaching tree has won a single championship, in 1957 by the Detroit Lions, led by George Wilson.
Personal Information
Parker was born on Tuesday, December 16, 1913 in Slaton, Texas. He died on Monday, March 22, 1982 at the age of 68.
History
| Year | Position | Record | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 St. Louis Cardinals | Special Assistant Coach | 6-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1964 Pittsburgh Steelers | Head Coach | 5-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1963 Pittsburgh Steelers | Head Coach | 7-4-3 | 0-0 |
| 1962 Pittsburgh Steelers | Head Coach | 9-5-0 | 0-0 |
| 1961 Pittsburgh Steelers | Head Coach | 6-8-0 | 0-0 |
| 1960 Pittsburgh Steelers | Head Coach | 5-6-1 | 0-0 |
| 1959 Pittsburgh Steelers | Head Coach | 6-5-1 | 0-0 |
| 1958 Pittsburgh Steelers | Head Coach | 7-4-1 | 0-0 |
| 1957 Pittsburgh Steelers | Head Coach | 6-6-0 | 0-0 |
| 1956 Detroit Lions | Head Coach | 9-3-0 | 0-0 |
| 1955 Detroit Lions | Head Coach | 3-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1954 Detroit Lions | Head Coach | 9-2-1 | 0-1 |
| 1953 Detroit Lions | Head Coach | 10-2-0 | 1-0 |
| 1952 Detroit Lions | Head Coach | 9-3-0 | 2-0 |
| 1951 Detroit Lions | Head Coach | 7-4-1 | 0-0 |
| 1950 Detroit Lions | Interim Head Coach / Backfield Coach | 6-6-0 | 0-0 |
| 1949 Chicago Cardinals | Head Coach | 6-5-1 | 0-0 |
| 1948 Chicago Cardinals | Assistant Coach | 11-1-0 | 0-1 |
| 1947 Chicago Cardinals | Assistant Coach | 9-3-0 | 1-0 |
| 1946 Chicago Cardinals | Assistant Coach | 6-5-0 | 0-0 |
| 1945 Chicago Cardinals | Assistant Coach | 1-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1944 Chi/Pit Cards/Steelers | Backfield Coach | 0-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1943 Chicago Cardinals | Assistant Coach | 0-10-0 | 0-0 |
Coach history guide
| Seasons with a championship win | Seasons with a conference championship |
Coach facts
- Years as head coach: 15
- Named the interim head coach during the 1950 season for the Detroit Lions
- Championships won: 1947, 1952, and 1953
- Second in total wins for the Detroit Lions.
- Fourth in total wins for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Second in winning percentage for the Detroit Lions.
- Fourth in winning percentage for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Most playoff wins in Detroit Lions history (3)
- Past teams coached for: St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions
- Date of Birth: Tuesday, December 16, 1913 (68 years old), Slaton, Texas
- Buddy Parker popularized the 2 Minute offense.