TicketsParrish Gaines is in his second year as a graduate assistant coach for the Bearcats.
In his first season, Gaines contributed to Cincinnati’s first-ever 13-0 start, a College Football Playoff appearance, and the nation’s best pass defense in 2021. Specializing in defensive back play, Gaines mentored cornerback tandem, Coby Bryant and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner with Bryant winning the Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back and Gardner earning First-Team All-American Honors.
Prior to Cincinnati, Gaines served honorably in the Armed Forces. As a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy, the former Lieutenant’s personal decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy, Gaines became the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator for the Naval Academy Preparatory School from 2016-17 where he lead a unit that forced 29 turnovers. The previous year he was the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator and led a punt return unit that averaged 39 ypg returning 70% of punts.
Gaines, a four-year starter at defensive back for the Navy Midshipmen from 2011-2014, reeled off 46 consecutive starts and earned multiple First Team All-Conference honors and was a team captain. He played in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game as a senior.
A native of Smyrna, TN., Gaines earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the United States Naval Academy in 2015. Thereafter he earned a master’s degree in human resource management from Troy University in 2019 and completed an additional master’s degree in Sport Administration from the University of Louisville. Gaines is also the founder of the Create Your Own Path Scholarship.
In his first season, Gaines contributed to Cincinnati’s first-ever 13-0 start, a College Football Playoff appearance, and the nation’s best pass defense in 2021. Specializing in defensive back play, Gaines mentored cornerback tandem, Coby Bryant and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner with Bryant winning the Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back and Gardner earning First-Team All-American Honors.
Prior to Cincinnati, Gaines served honorably in the Armed Forces. As a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy, the former Lieutenant’s personal decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy, Gaines became the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator for the Naval Academy Preparatory School from 2016-17 where he lead a unit that forced 29 turnovers. The previous year he was the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator and led a punt return unit that averaged 39 ypg returning 70% of punts.
Gaines, a four-year starter at defensive back for the Navy Midshipmen from 2011-2014, reeled off 46 consecutive starts and earned multiple First Team All-Conference honors and was a team captain. He played in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game as a senior.
A native of Smyrna, TN., Gaines earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the United States Naval Academy in 2015. Thereafter he earned a master’s degree in human resource management from Troy University in 2019 and completed an additional master’s degree in Sport Administration from the University of Louisville. Gaines is also the founder of the Create Your Own Path Scholarship.