Christian Parker isn’t new to the fast track.
The Broncos defensive backs coach has been on it most of his coaching career. Now he’s moving closer to climbing another rung up the ladder.
Parker, 32, is interviewing with New England and new head coach Jerod Mayo for the team’s defensive coordinator posting, a source confirmed Friday morning to The Denver Post. NFL Network first reported the interview.
Parker has spent the past three years in Denver working for three different defensive minds — Vic Fangio in 2021, Ejiro Evero in 2022 and Vance Joseph this past season. He impressed each enough that keeping him on staff became a priority.
Before Denver, Parker spent two years in Green Bay as a defensive quality control coach and had college experience at Texas A&M, Notre Dame and other stops before jumping to the NFL.
It didn’t take long for Joseph to form his impression of Parker last summer.
“He’s sharp, man. He’s a star,” Joseph said during the team’s offseason program in June. “He’s a great partner to work with. As a veteran coach, I’ve coordinated for about seven years now. … Speaking with Christian every day and bouncing ideas off him, from what he’s done with (Fangio) and guys in the past has been fun. We’re making changes and growing off what they did last year.
“He’s smart, he works his butt off, and his players love playing for him. He’s a star.”
Parker may not be the only young Broncos assistant coach who gets coordinator looks in the coming weeks. Denver has a few other candidates, including defensive line coach Marcus Dixon and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, who could draw interest.
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