[Allsports#1]

AARON SNYDER: Ivan gets your vote?
Aaron Snyder The Independent The Daily Independent Fri Oct 04, 2013, 06:00 AM EDT
ASHLAND — Ivan McGlone has been as much a fixture as the football itself on Friday nights for nearly 60 years.

More than half of the 75-year-old's life has been spent as Russell's adored head coach.

In that time, he's won 309 games — two of those concluded with the Red Devils as state champions.

In such a lengthy period in one position, which is often put under the microscope as every particle of every game is analyzed, surely enemies (beyond rivals) will be formed.

Ivan McGlone, that I know of, has no enemies. The respect level from fellow coaches, area football fans and former players is through the roof.

While health hurdles and personal-life losses have mounted in recent years for McGlone, his loyalty and dedication to the Russell program, its players and assistant coaches haven't wavered.

USA Today is conducting a poll for people to vote for the best high school football coach in Kentucky. There are eight elite selections, and McGlone (thanks to many of you reading this) is currently leading the way.

If you haven't voted yet, paste this link into your address bar: http://contest.usatodayhss.com/vote/bestcoach2013/ky.

The statewide poll will be closed on Oct. 8 at noon. The winning coach from each state will then advance to a regional round. Eight regional winners will be selected, based on votes, by Oct. 18. The final eight will compete in a national poll from Oct. 21-29.