Jon Parker was named head women's tennis coach in Oct. 2016 and takes over a very successful RiverHawks program that has won its last 29 MIAA conference matches and has won back-to-back-to-back MIAA regular season titles. Additionally, in the last five seasons NSU has reached the NCAA Division II Sweet-16, then concluded the 2016 season ranked number-10 in the nation, and as the top program in the central region by the ITA.
In his first year as the RiverHawks head coach, Parker continued the winning tradition by capturing the 5th straight MIAA regular season championship with a perfect 9-0 record. NSU also won their first MIAA Tournament title under Parker. The RiverHawks finished with a 19-6 mark and advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 for the 5th consecutive year.
"I am thrilled NSU Director of Athletics Tony Duckworth and President Turner are providing me the opportunity to lead RiverHawks women's tennis,” said Parker. “I am encouraged and optimistic with the talent these ladies have to offer. I look forward to building on a great tradition with the goal of becoming a top Division II tennis program."
Parker will come to NSU after being at Bixby High School (Bixby, Okla.) since 2009 and won six 4A Oklahoma State Titles, with 22 years of experience has a head boys’ and girls’ tennis coach. In 2016, Parker led the Spartans in a 6A Boy’s Tennis Regional Championship.
Prior to arriving at Bixby, Parker was the head boys’ tennis coach and softball coach at Cascia Hall (Tulsa, Okla.) from 2005-09. The Commandos dominated 4A tennis with Parker at the helm taking four-straight state titles from 2006-09.
Parker had two stints as head coach at Okmulgee High School (Okmulgee, Okla.) from 1997-00 and 2002-04. During the 1999 and 2000 seasons Okmulgee took back-to-back 4A titles, and it is the only time that a public school in 4A tennis won titles on consecutive years.
From 1999-00 and 2003-16, Parker has coached 26 state champions in singles and doubles, 19 state-runners up, with 19 student-athletes named to All-State teams, and one state player of the year. In 2006, Parker was also named All-State Coach by the Oklahoma Coaches Association, and that same year he was the All-Metro Coach of the Year in Tulsa.
Parker graduated in 2016 with a masters in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Emporia State University (Emporia, Kan.). He also is a 1992 Graduate from Northeastern State University.
Jon Parker’s Coaching File
2009-16, Bixby High School (Head Tennis Coach)
2005-09, Cascia Hall (Head Softball and Tennis Coach)
2002-04, Okmulgee High School (Head Tennis Coach, Assistant Softball Coach, and Head Ninth Grade Girls’ Basketball Coach)
2000-02, Wichita Falls High School (Head Tennis Coach)
1997-00, Okmulgee High School (Head Tennis Coach)
1994-97, Okmulgee High School (Junior High Head Tennis Coach)
