Buddy Parker had an incredible run as the head coach of the Detroit Lions. His teams won two NFL titles (1952 and 1953) and played for another in Parker’s six seasons at the helm (1951-1956).
The successful stint in Detroit is the bedrock for Parker’s candidacy for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Parker, who went 47-23-2 in his time as Lions coach before eight more seasons coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers, was selected as a finalist for the hall of fame on Wednesday.
Parker was named a finalist in the Coach/Contributor category. He was selected from a group of 12 semifinalists in a vote by the selection committee. He now advances to the next step to be elected in the class of 2024. From the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s press release,
The Hall of Fame’s full 50-person Selection Committee will consider Parker for election — along with 15 Modern-Era Players and three Seniors — when it meets to choose the entire Class of 2024 early next year.
Parker would be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame if he receives at least 80% approval in the up-or-down balloting at that meeting.
Parker and QB Bobby Layne are credited with pioneering the up-tempo offense. His emphasis on playmaking in the defensive backfield was also a wrinkle that broke from the contemporary norm and produced two Hall of Fame safeties in Jack Christiansen and Yale Lary.
It’s a real honor for Parker when considering he was the Coach/Contributor category over prominent names like Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, Marty Schottenheimer and Dan Reeves.