[Sponge Bob]

Sorry, but Morris does not do the "real" coaching. He is in charge of the defense, and pretty much can do as he pleases there, but there are many discussions on what they are and Ivan still has the final say so. As far as offense goes, Mike Jones has a lot of influence, but Ivan always has and always will call it. You don't have to like what he calls, but this is what he does.

As far as being a "figurehead", that is absurd. He is lucky enough to have qualified coaches who can be counted on to take a group of players and instruct them without him having to be a position coach, but as soon as team period comes, Ivan is the one in the middle of it all, instructing and leading.

Another point, as long as I've been around the Russell program, I have NEVER seen Ivan cower or bend to parental or political pressures regarding who he plays. I know all of the coaches evaluate players to death to decide who plays. It has nothing to do with their name or parent reputation/complaining. Now, I probably was not close to the program when you played, so maybe something strange like that happened then, but I doubt it. No offense, but these types of accusations usually come from players who think they got shafted and another player played in front of them. That may not be your case, but it usually is.

As far as teaching in the classroom, I have no idea there. However, I know that the majority of head football coaches are PE teachers. No offense to PE teachers, but WOW, that must be hard. Now, many PE teachers dedicatedly work hard to have a good PE programs, but not many PE "coaches". Ivan taught social studies, a subject that is tested and has accountability. Maybe you think he didn't teach it as well as he could, but I doubt he was THAT bad.