Parmalee played college football for the Ball State Cardinals, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001, and was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 1992.

[1] Parmalee played in college at Ball State University, where he is the 3rd leading rusher all-time and was named MAC Freshman of the Year in 1987.

Parmalee played running back for the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets from 1992 to 2000.

Parmalee coached both special teams and tight ends for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2005 to 2009.

In Parmalee's first season in Oakland, Latavius Murray made the Pro Bowl, running for 1066 yards — the team's first 1000-yard rusher in five years.