CHARLESTON, S.C. – Jimmy "Red" Parker, who was credited with transforming the face of Citadel football when he coached the Bulldogs from 1966-72, passed away Monday in his home state of Arkansas.

Coach Parker, who was enshrined in The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, compiled a 39-34 overall record, including a 25-20 mark in Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs finished second in the conference in 1968 and 1970 and placed third in the conference standings in 1969 and 1971.

The Citadel president Lt. Gen. John Rosa was recruited by Parker and lettered as the Bulldogs' quarterback from 1970-72.

"Red Parker was one-of-a-kind," Lt. Gen. Rosa said. "He was tough, but compassionate and genuinely cared about his players. I know I speak for countless others when I say I'm better for having played for and known Red Parker."

His squads were known for their hard-hitting and stingy defenses, and a high-powered option offense with his signature "Citadel Veer." While with the Bulldogs, Parker coached 26 All-Southern Conference performers, 25 who attained All-State honors and 13 who are in The Citadel Hall of Fame. Parker, who was hired at The Citadel by then-Director of Athletics Eddie Teague in 1966 after a successful stint at Arkansas A&M, left The Citadel after the 1972 season to coach at Clemson University.

A native of Fordyce, Arkansas, Parker completed his coaching career of more than 60 years in his home state as the head coach at Harmony Grove High School in Benton. He started the program there six years ago, resigning last October. The field at Harmony Grove is named for him. Parker is reportedly the second-most famous coach from Fordyce, just behind his mentor, the legendary Bear Bryant.

Parker had an artificial heart installed late in his life and died of heart complications, his family said. 

"The best thing that ever happened to me from a career standpoint was going to The Citadel," Parker said in 2013. "That's where my love of coaching came from. The total experience, the young men I was around, the people I came to know."