Bethel University Athletics

A.J. Parnell completed his sixth season on staff and second year as offensive coordinator in 2022, after a nine-year stint coaching high school football in the state of Washington. Parnell served as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator for his first four seasons with the Royals before transitioning into the OC role for 2021. Parnell was a quarterback at Bethel in the early 2000's. 

AT BETHEL
• Offense ranked third in the MIAC in scoring, total offense, passing and rushing in 2021
• Finished second in the MIAC in run defense in both 2018 and 2019
• Led the MIAC in sacks with 46 in 2018
• Produced six MIAC Special Teams Players of the Week in three seasons overseeing Bethel's special teams
• Led the MIAC and ranked 25th nationally in red zone offense in 2022
• Reached NCAA Playoffs in 2021 and 2022 including an Elite Eight run in 2022
• Ranked first in country for sacks allowed per pass attempte in combined seasons of 2019, 2021 and 2022

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
• Quarterback Jaran Roste named Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist and First Team MIAC All-Conference in 2021 and 2022.
• Jaran Roste holds career records in passing yards (9,051), TD passes (70), rushing TDs (45), completions (682) and total offense (11,509 yards). His 2,458 rushing yards sits 10th all-time.
• Defensive Lineman Kyle Kilgore earned numerous awards in two seasons (2017-18) under Parnell's tutelage including: AFCA Second Team All-American, D3football.com Honorable Mention All-America, MIAC First Team All-Conference (two-time recipient), D3football.com Third Team All-West Region (two-time recipient), Cliff Harris Award Finalist and AFCA Allstate Good Works Team member. 
• Offensive lineman Travis Sinclair First Team AFCA All-American (2022)
• Wide receiver Joey Kidder D3football.com Second Team All-American (2022)
• Wide receiver's Joey Kidder and Micah Niewald each over 1,000 receiving yards in 2022 making Bethel the only Division III team with a pair of receivers over 1,000 yards.

WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
• Spent the 2014-16 seasons as the head coach at Lake Washington High School 
• Led Lake Washington to the district playoffs in 2015 and was named the 3A/2A Kingco Head Coach of the Year
• Served as the Special Teams Coordinator and Co-Defensive Coordinator from 2008-2013 at Juanita High School, Parnell's alma mater 

PLAYING CAREER
• 2005 graduate of Bethel and was a member of the Royals from 2002-2005, winning 25 games and making an NCAA Playoff appearance in 2003
• 7-3 record as the Royals starting quarterback
• Named to the AFCA Good Works Team in 2005
• Nominated for the Draddy Award, which was considered to be college football’s Academic Heisman

PERSONAL
• He and his wife, Kristi, live in Roseville with their two kids Mason and Landry

Last updated 8/23/23