Former Clemson football coach Red Parker dies

Jimmy “Red” Parker, who served as head coach at Clemson for four seasons from 1973 to 1976, died Monday morning after battling heart-related illnesses in recent months, according to the Benton (Ark.) Courier.

Parker, 82, resigned as coach and athletic director at Harmony Grove High School in Camden, Arkansas, following the 2015 season, ending a 62-year career as both a college and high school coach.

At Clemson, Parker guided the Tigers to a 17-25-2 record, including a 7-4 mark in 1974 as the Tigers lived up to their theme of “Excitement Galore, Clemson Football ’74.” Clemson posted victories against Georgia, Georgia Tech and South Carolina that season.

Before coming to Clemson, Parker spent seven seasons as head coach at The Citadel, where he guided the Bulldogs to 46-37 record, including an 8-3 mark in 1971.

Parker earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1953 from Arkansas A&M, where he earned three letters each in football, basketball and track. He also coached at Arkansas A&M, Southern Arkansas, Delta State and Oachita Baptist universities.

This story was originally published January 4, 2016 at 10:31 AM with the headline "Former Clemson football coach Red Parker dies."