AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State soccer coaching staff is now complete, as Coach Matt Fannon has announced the hiring of both Jeff Parker and Bulut “Turk” Ozturk. Parker has been named the team’s second assistant coach, while Ozturk will be the team’s soccer development coordinator.

Both Parker and Ozturk come to Ames after stints as head coaches at the NCAA ranks. Parker spent the past 24 years as the head coach at Stevens Institute of Technology, a DIII school, where he owns the most wins in school history. Ozturk spent the past four seasons as the head coach of Michigan Tech, a DII school, where in 2023, he took the Huskies to their first NCAA tournament appearance in nearly a decade.

“The level of experience they bring is really exciting,” says Fannon. “Experienced, accomplished coaches who understand how it works with squads. Both of them being former head coaches is such a big deal as they’ll be able to support the team in multiple ways. Both Jeff and Turk are an incredible boost for us that will make a big difference.”

The pair of Parker (28 years) and Ozturk (8 years) will bring 36 years of collegiate coaching experience to the staff.

For Parker, ISU will be his first non-head coaching role since 1998, when he was an assistant coach at Georgetown. He spent a pair of seasons as the head coach at Saint Peter’s before he took over at Stevens.

Parker’s success spanned decades in the Northeast, as he oversaw a program in Stevens that made 22 consecutive postseasons under his direction. Parker led the Ducks to 16 conference championships and 13 NCAA postseason berths.

Parker coached four athletes to All-American status at Stevens and helped guide nine athletes to become Academic All-Americans. In total, Parker led three squads to the NCAA’s Sweet 16.

Turk, not to be outdone, has had his own collegiate successes prior to arriving in Ames. He has helped coach at both Tennessee and Northwestern before his time at Michigan Tech.

At Michigan Tech, Turk had 17 of his players earn GLIAC All-Conference Awards, one earn All-American and over 60 players named to the All-Academic Excellence Team with eight to the All-Academic Team.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Ozturk spent 15 years making a significant impact at the semi-professional, club, and high school levels in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. He led Lakeville North and Eagan High Schools to seven Minnesota state final fours over eight seasons, including four state championship game appearances and three state titles.

The Iowa State soccer program will kick off its season on August 15, welcoming Western Illinois to the Cyclone Soccer Complex for the start of the 2024 regular season. As a reminder, admission to all home matches is free.