DENTON, Tex. — Dennis Parker, whose high school is playing Saturday for the Texas state football championship, was named today as head football coach of the University of North Texas.

Parker replaces Corky Nelson, who was fired on Nov. 17 after nine seasons as the Eagles' coach.

Parker is head football coach and athletic director of Marshall High School, which plays Converse Judson in the Astrodome for the Class 5A big school state championship. Marshall is 13-2 this season.

Parker has served as head coach at Marshall for the past six years. Marshall has a 56-27-1 record during that period.