BIOGRAPHY:

As head coach of the Bulldogs, success occurred both quickly and often for the late Merrit Parsons.  In the course of his 12-season tenure, Parsons not only compiled an overall record of 66-34-5, but also won 5 conference championships in 1957, ’58, ’59, ’60, and ’66.  As well, his 1960 squad was named by the U.P.I. as the “Mythical State Champions of Iowa.” 

In 1957 Coach Parsons was named the Quad Cities "Coach of the Year" and from 1958-60, his Bulldogs compiled an impressive record of 25-0-1 which also marked the first of four historical Bulldog winning streaks.  He was named the “Coach of the Year” in 1960 by the Des Moines Register and in 1966, his final season before becoming the Assistant Superintendent of Bettendorf Community Schools, Parsons led the Bulldogs to an 8-0 record while winning the Little 6 Conference.  As well, before the implementation of the Iowa Football playoff system, teams were ranked state-wide and such that, his 1958 and 1959 teams were #10 and #12, respectively, by the Iowa Daily Press Association while his 1966 team was #4 by the Des Moines Register.

Mr. Parsons passed away in 1994.

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