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AJ Parnell

Follow Coach Parnell on X: @CoachParnell

AT WINONA STATE
  • Joined the Warriors in 2024
  • Quarterbacks and Runnings Backs Coach (2024-present)
  • 2024 offense produced 1,656 rushing yards, 2,460 passing yards, and averaged 374 yards per game.
 
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AT WSU
  • 2nd Team All-NSIC selection
    • Cair’ron Hendred (2024)
  • Coached five Academic All NSIC Student-Athletes 
    • Ty Gavin (2024)
    • Quentin Pringle (2024)
    • Cole Stenstrom (2024)
    • Ethan Torgrimson (2024)
    • Justin Wohlers (2024)
 
BEFORE WINONA STATE
  • Bethel University Offensive Coordinator (2021-2023)
    • 2021 Offense: 2,003 rushing yards, 2,838 passing yards, 440 yards per game, 38 points per game.
    • 2022 Offense: 2,018 rushing yards, 3,281 passing yards, 407 yards per game, 33 points per game.
    • 2023 Offense: 2,031 rushing yards, 2,007 passing yards, 374 yards per game, 27 points per game.
    • Reached NCAA Playoffs four times (2018, 2021, 2022, 2023)
    • Two Elite Eight appearances (2018, 2022)
    • Won the 2023 MIAC Championship
    • Led the MIAC and ranked 25th nationally in red zone offense (2022)
    • Led the only NCAA DIII team with two 1,000-yard receivers in 2022
    • Ranked 1st nationally in sacks allowed per pass attempt from 2019-2022
  • Bethel University Defensive Line and Special Teams Coordinator (2017-2020)
    • Led the MIAC in sacks with 46 in 2018.
    • Ranked second in the MIAC in run defense (2018, 2019)
    • Produced six MIAC Special Teams Players of the Week in three seasons.
  • Lake Washington High School Head Coach (2014-2016)
    • Led the team to the district playoffs in 2015
    • Named 3A/2A Kingco Head Coach of the Year in 2015
  • Juanita High School Special Teams Coordinator and Co-Defensive Coordinator
 
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT BEFORE WSU
  • QB Jaran Roste (Bethel, 2021-2022) – Gagliardi Trophy Finalist, MIAC Offensive Player of the Year, school record-holder in multiple categories.
  • DL Kyle Kilgore (Bethel, 2017-2018) – AFCA All-American, Cliff Harris Award Finalist.
  • OL Travis Sinclair (Bethel, 2022) – First Team AFCA All-American.
  • WR Joey Kidder (Bethel, 2022) – D3football.com Second Team All-American.
  • WRs Joey Kidder & Micah Niewald (Bethel, 2022) – The only DIII duo with 1,000+ receiving yards in a season.
 
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
  • Played quarterback at Bethel University (2002-2005)
    • Led the Royals to NCAA Playoff appearance in 2003 and compiled a 7-3 record as a starting quarterback.
    • Named to the AFCA Good Wors Team in 2005 and nominated for the Draddy Award (Academic Hesiman).
 
PERSONAL
  • Native of Kirklnad, Wash.
  • Holds a B.A. in Physical Education (K-12) from Bethel University (’05) and a M.S. in Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment from Walden University (’08)
  • Lives in Winona with wife, Kristi, and two sons: Mason and Landry