Prior to his arrival at IU South Bend, Parks served as the head varsity boy's basketball coach at Niles High School for five seasons, from 2001-2006. During that time, Parks won two SMAC West division championships in 2002 and 2006. He was selected SMAC Coach of the Year in those seasons as well. In 2002, Parks earned honors as Coach Of The Year by the South Bend Tribune.

Parks coached five seasons at Southwestern Michigan College (SMC), 1980-1986. In Parks' final season, SMC won the Michigan Community College Athletic Association's (MCCAA) Western Conference championship and he was named the MCCAA Coach of the Year.

Parks played basketball at Central Michigan University. He was a member of the 1975 Sweet 16 team and the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship team. In that same season, Parks led CMU in assists, with 165, which ranks fourth all-time in a single season at CMU.  In his final season at CMU Parks was voted team captain, best defensive player, and made the MAC All-Academic team. He ranks tenth all-time in assists, with 285.

Currently, Parks serves as the Executive Director of the American Youth Basketball Tour which includes over 2,000 teams nationwide.