Kansas Football Adds Bernie Parmalee to Staff
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas football head coach Charlie Weis added a seasoned veteran to the Jayhawk staff Monday as it was announced that Bernie Parmalee has joined the KU program at the quality control for special teams position.
Additionally, Weis announced that graduate assistant Kaeman Mitchell will shift from working with the Jayhawk special teams to the offensive side of the ball. Mitchell replaces former KU letterwinner, Kale Pick, who recently left his graduate assistant position at Kansas for a similar role at Texas A&M.
Parmalee comes to Kansas after spending three seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight ends coach from 2010-12. He returned to the NFL coaching ranks in his position with the Chiefs after spending five seasons at Notre Dame (2005-09).
“I am very happy to add Bernie to our staff,” said Weis. “He worked with me for six years and did a great job. I’m sure he will be a valuable asset to our program.”
In his first season with the Chiefs, Parmalee was instrumental in the development of tight end Tony Moeaki. Moeaki caught 47 passes in 2010, the top mark by a rookie tight end in Chiefs history. His 556 receiving yards trailed only tight end Walter White (559) for the best total by a rookie tight end in club annals.
Parmalee served as the tight ends coach his final three seasons with Notre Dame (2007-09). He tutored the tight ends in addition to assisting with the special teams during the 2005-06 campaigns.
Prior to joining Notre Dame, Parmalee spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Miami Dolphins (2002-04). During his coaching tenure with Miami, he served as the tight ends coach (2004), the assistant special teams coach/offensive assistant (2003) and assistant special teams coach (2002).
Parmalee enjoyed a nine-year NFL playing career with Miami (1992-98) and the New York Jets (1999-00). During his NFL career, Parmalee played in 134 games (26 starts), recording 567 rushes for 2,179 yards with 17 TDs and 168 receptions for 1,485 yards with three scores. He also registered 16 kickoff returns for 289 yards and 123 special teams tackles. Parmalee also played in seven career postseason contests (four starts). He entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Miami in 1992.
The Jersey City, N.J., native finished his collegiate career as the all-time leading rusher in Ball State history, tallying 3,483 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. He earned varsity letters in football and baseball as a prep standout at Lincoln High School in Jersey City, N.J.
Parmalee, a 1991 Ball State graduate, and his wife, Angela, have three children: Nakia, Tre’ and Torian. Tre’ Parmalee is a junior wide receiver on the KU football team.
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