Coach Hackenbruck is a minor character that only appears twice in the novel. The first time he appears in the story is when he is looking at Sundara and Jonathan talking while walking through the hallway. The second time he appears is when he is accusing Sundara of being responsible for Jonathan's quitting the football team. His actions cause Sundara to feel overwhelmed with all the accusations that people had been making toward her. In their meeting, Coach Hackenbruck goes as far as to say that things would be easier if she were "somebody with white skin" (Crew 164). Hackenbruck represents a minor, but clear antagonist in the novel who holds Jonathan back from becoming the person he wishes to be.