ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University head football coach Steve Johnson announced that former BU football player A.J. Parnell has been hired to be the newest assistant on the Royals' staff. Parnell, who graduated from Bethel in 2006, was most recently the head football coach at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington.
 
"A.J. leads with an enthusiasm and joy that is so contagious," said Coach Johnson. "He is a student of the game and an accomplished teacher of fundamentals."
 
Johnson continued, "His grateful heart is infectious and brings joy to every group he touches. AJ gives his gifts away for free like nobody I've ever seen. He is a sweet-hearted tough guy and is faithful to what matters."
 
Parnell accumulated a 15-15 record as the head coach at Lake Washington and was announced the 3A/2A Kingco Head Coach of the year in 2015. He led his team to the district playoffs in 2015 and tutored 32 All-Conference players over the course of three years.
 
Prior to his stint at Lake Washington, Parnell was the assistant coach at Juanita High School (Kirkland, Washington) where he served as the Special Teams Coordinator, Co-Defensive Coordinator, and Offensive Coordinator from 2008-2013. He was named the District 2 and Kingco Assistant Coach of the Year in 2010 after leading Juanita to the state playoffs.
 
During his time at Bethel Parnell went 7-3 as a starting quarterback and was selected to the AFCA Good Works Team in 2005. He was also nominated for the Draddy Award, which was considered to be college football's "Academic Heisman."
 
"To be at Bethel is a dream," stated Parnell. "It's a dream not only because of this football program's success, but also because of the university's ability to empower, teach, and energize students. I'm invigorated to coach at this level."
 
Parnell continued, "Not only am I excited to coach, but I'm also looking forward to being with a staff that will challenge and care for me; that will treat me like family."
 
Parnell and his wife Kristi ('05)—who he met at Bethel—and two kids, Mason (3.5) and Landry (1.5), will move to Minnesota later this summer.