Ballard and Parrella leave NMU football staff

Spring football practice starts in 15 days at Northern Michigan University, but head coach Chris Ostrowsky has a more pressing concern: filling two recent openings on his staff.

Defensive coordinator Joe Ballard and defensive line coach John Parrella are no longer with the team. The defensive coordinator position vacated by Ballard was posted on NMU’s human resources website Thursday, and Parrella has moved on to the University of Nebraska.

Ballard joined the Wildcats’ coaching staff in 2006 and was promoted to defensive coordinator before the 2013 season. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State, where he played safety on two Division II national championship teams.

Parrella, meanwhile, is returning to his alma mater, Nebraska, to serve as defensive line coach. After an all-conference career with the Cornhuskers, Parrella played 12 seasons in the NFL, with the Bills, Chargers and Raiders. He spent the past two years at NMU.

The Lincoln Journal Star reported Parrella was one of 60 or 70 applicants and one of three finalists to interview for the position. Head coach Mike Riley said Parrella “blew us away” in the interview with his preparation and passion.

“This guy will recruit,” Riley told the Journal Star. “He will grab guys. He’s knowledgeable. He’s a magnet. A really neat guy. Passionate. A guy like that, a defensive tackle, does not survive in the NFL for 12 years without something special about him.”

The Associated Press reported Parrella signed a two-year contract worth $250,000 annually.

The staff vacancies mean NMU will be down two coaches for spring practice, which begins Saturday, March 12. The Wildcats will hold 14 practices from March 12 to April 8, and the spring game is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 9. Find the full schedule here.

NMU expects to hire a defensive coordinator in three to four weeks.