Parrilla is in his third season at the helm of the Carson-Newman Cross Country program.

As a Tennessee sophomore, he closed well in the 1992 Olympic Trials to grab 3rd and a ticket to Barcelona. Parrilla also competed for the U.S. team in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Parrilla, who grew up in Panama, loved soccer first. But the move to the United States changed that. By the time of his senior year at South Dade High School, Parrilla had run 1:50.63 and had become a national prospect. In 1991, he won gold at the Pan-Am Juniors in the 800.

He won four NCAA 800 titles, more than any other collegian. In 1994, Parrilla won his third straight NCAA title at 800, a feat that only 1936 Olympic champ John Woodruff had accomplished before.  He was a 10-time All-American, and still holds Tennessee’s school record of 1:43.97 in the 800, 20 years after he set it. 

Parrilla twice was named a member of the World Championship Team (1993 & 1995). 

Parrilla earned a B.S. in human motor behavior from the University of Tennessee and holds certifications in myofascial integrative technique, active isolated stretching and is currently studying myoskeletal alignment techniques. He has worked as an exercise physiologist, fitness instructor and personal trainer.

Parrilla is the father of three kids, Tony III., Miguel and Christina.