Portal:Oklahoma/Selected Biography/20



Frank "Pop" Ivy (January 25, 1916 – May 17, 2003) was a football player and coach, who holds the unique distinction of being the only person ever to serve as a head coach in the National Football League, the American Football League and the Western Interprovincial Football Union.

A native of Skiatook, Oklahoma, Ivy played for the University of Oklahoma beginning in 1937. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1940 NFL draft, but was traded to the Chicago Cardinals on October 17. Ivy would continue to see action on both sides of the ball throughout the rest of his NFL career, and in 1942, he had his best season with 27 receptions, second behind the legendary Don Hutson. His time on the gridiron was interrupted for more than two years by his service in World War II, but he closed out his career in 1947 by helping the franchise to its only NFL title. Ivy was on the sidelines for the NFL Championship, having separated his shoulder just weeks earlier. (Read more...)