It's expected that Michigan coach Lloyd Carr will announce his retirement at a press conference on Monday.
To say that Carr is going out on bad terms would be the understatement of the year.
Lloyd is leaving the Wolverines to a chorus of jeers—from fans and media-types alike.
And the truth is he deserves far better.
Carr has won five Big Ten Titles, and only once finished lower than third in the conference (fourth place in 1996, his second year). He also has over 120 wins and a national title to his name.
Only a few coaches in college football history can match that kind of success.
Some say the game has passed Carr by, pointing to his recent struggles against Ohio State and in bowl games.
But those arguments fail to give credit to the man himself.
Players love Carr, and he loves them back. You'd be hard-pressed to find one soul who played under Coach Carr and doesn't respect him to this day.
If you have a problem with Lloyd Carr, in other words, you have a problem with 100+ angry football players.
Which leaves the Michigan athletic department in a peculiar position.
The Wolverines are losing three key pieces of a talented offense, a defensive captain, possibly their defensive coordinator, and, most importantly, their head coach.
It's been over 10 years since the Michigan brass have had to find a new man to lead the football team. The decision they make will be instrumental in shaping the future of the program.
The obvious candidate is LSU coach Les Miles, who has been mentioned in connection with the Michigan position for years. Miles has said he isn't considering the job at the moment—but you have to believe that could change on very short notice.
The darkhorse is Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly, who knows the state from his days at Central Michigan. Kelly's explosive offense could be even more dangerous with the caliber of players in Ann Arbor.
In any event, the new Michigan coach will have his work cut out for him.
First, he'll have to light a fire under a program that's lacked it of late. Second, he'll have to fine-tune the offense—which may mean cutting ties with offensive coordinator Mike DeBord.
On defense, coordinator Ron English may be headed for the NFL (assuming he doesn't take the Michigan job). English or no English, the Wolverine D needs more speed in the secondary—to say nothing of some work on basic tackling technique.
If Les Miles does take take the reins, the Wolverines will hope he can bring some of that Southern speed up north. With athletes like Juice Williams roaming the landscape, college football is changing—and you've got to be able to run if you want to keep pace.
And then, of course, there's the matter of relationships. The new coach might be able to fill Lloyd's headset—but I dare him to match Carr's love for his players.
For that, at least, Carr deserves a round of applause on his way out the door.
11 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
I'm a season ticketholder, so I get 4 votes:
1) Bye-Bye Lloyd; you have been a pathetic underachiever
2) Bye-Bye Hart; your mouth is your biggest organ
3) Bye-Bye Henne; you selfish schmuck - you should have benched yourself
4) Bye-Bye Manningham: were you paid to drop those passes?
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Should we all just be like Alabama and fire our coaches every two or three years because they can't bring back "the glory days". You don't sound too much like a true fan. Carr has done a good job throughout his career. Sure, these past few seasons have posed some setbacks, but hey, thats a factor in his retirement I'm sure. But that does not take away from what he has accomplished. No team is going to be perfect forever. Dynasties come to an end, and teams will go through highs and lows. But look at everything Carr has done? Your speech makes it seem like you'd rather not have had Carr around at all? How about we erase that national championship, and the bowl games?
As for Hart, yeah he needs to put his words into actions. Disappointing really, because he is a really good back. But you have to remember, with the play calling, a lot of his runs were extremely dependent on his line, which ultimately failed. The line failed too for Henne, though I thought he had some decent chances, which he screwed up. And even the ones he did throw, Manningham who sadly seems to have check out of college dropped them. The offense was inexcusable. With the way the defense was playing, Michigan had every opportunity and more to win this football game and they didn't. Oh well, maybe next year...
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I was a college athlete not too long ago. Looking back on those times I do remember wins and losses, but more importantly I remember the influence my coach played in my for those four years and in the rest of my life.
I do not know Lloyd Carr and have not played for him; but from all accounts, he lives up to the ideals of intercollegiate athletics that have been so often forsaken in college football. What else could we wish for at the University of Michigan? Hail to the Victors!
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
The author of this column is correct. However, it really is time for Lloyd Carr to move on. And it's clear in his own demeanor. He's ready to be done.
That said, I hate "fans" like the first idiot on this comment board. I also hate the direction college football is heading in. Football is SUPPOSED to be about ground acquisition. Lining up your 11 guys against their 11 guys and cramming it down their throats. This spread offense BS with the super speedy QBs who have little passing accuracy makes me wince every time I watch it. It requires little thought whatsoever. Just look to your 4th or 5th receiver against your opponent's nickel or dime back and throw it to him 20 times a game. Even though the putz has no hands, he can't drop it EVERY time.
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David Williams about 1 year ago
As an Ohio State fan, we've recently had our humor at the expense of Michigan fans. As I remember, though Lloyd had the convincing upper hand against OSU for the first half of his tenure. You can fault him for not being able to get it done in the clutch as of recent history, but looking back on his whole career with his bowl victories, earlier wins over Ohio State, and a national championship on the resume, it's hard not to acknowledge his accomplishments.
As far as Mike Hart goes, his mouth may be big but his production has almost always been much bigger. So what if he talks if he backs it up. He guaransheeded a win against ND (albeit no hard task) but he went out there and led his team. I think the only time that he didn't really back up all of his tough talk was against Wisconsin and OSU. And I bet his ankle really was messed up.
Look at me, an Ohio State fan trying to defend a Michigan coach and his player. Note the irony. As soon as the players/coaches become expendable, some Michigan fans already are alread dumping them in the garbage for dead.
To the last anonymous, you seem a little nostalgic for the past. Football coaching is all about gaining a competitive edge thru elite talent and intelligent, shrewd play-calling. It's not SUPPOSED to be anything. The smashmouth ground game is just what it used to be. The goal on the field is to score touchdowns, so would you rather run a fullback dive with your old school 5.3 40 5'11 235-pound fb that will get you "three yards and a cloud of dust" or throw it deep to Arrington for an easy touchdown?
I'm assuming you aren't a fan of Tim Tebow's patented "jump pass"
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J.C. Hagan about 1 year ago
To the annonymous: Football is SUPPOSED to be about scoring points and winning.
Carr is leaving at the right time. It's obvious Michigan needs a new leader for them to be what they can. Carr simply hasn't got the job done the last few years in terms of living up to the talent he has at his disposal.
Being like unrealistic Alabama, Tennessee, or Nebraska fans is one thing. Holding a coach accountable for terribly underperformaing is another.
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Jake Tabaska about 1 year ago
I completely agree. While I will hate Michigan until I die, I can't help but feel bad for the guy. Thank you for putting some light on this situation.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
les miles WILL come to michigan. bet u fags 100000000000000000000000 dollars
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Nino Colla about 1 year ago
Well I'm no fag and I don't have 100000000000000000000000 dollars. But that is a sucker bet. It looks like Miles wants the job and Michigan would love to have Miles.
To the first poster. Just because you are a season ticket holder doesn't give you any more input than the rest of us. I'm sorry that you are a fan of the team I love.
Poster two. Completely agree with you. Not only that but coaches now a days love to bolt the lower programs. It's a sick and twisted college football world. But Hey
I also do believe it's time for Lloyd Carr to step down. I don't know if I completely conveyed that thought, but I do feel he has run his course. It's time to move on.
David. I'm glad to see some sensible Buckeye fans feel that way. I've encountered a couple. Hey I've taken my cheap shots at Lloyd myself, but all in good fun. I respect the guy a whole heck of a lot, and I can rest easier knowing there are some Buckeye fans out there that realize that without me telling them.
Thanks for the comments.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Llyod Carr was a great coach, and anyone who says otherwise needs to look at his overall record again.
Just like the article says, Carr was a stand-up guy, unlike possible replacement Brian Kelly.
I go to Central Michigan, so i saw Brian Kelly's outstanding coaching during the 2006 season. He really brought our offense together, but it's the way that he left that upset Chippewa players and fans alike.
Kelly led CMU to their first MAC championship in 12 years. At the press conference after the championship game, Kelly talked about how excited he was to build the program up the next few years.
But less than a week later, and without telling the athletic department, Kelly interviewed and promptly accepted the head coach position at Cincinatti, leaving Central without a head coach for their first bowl appearance in over a decade.
University of Michigan has always demanded the utmost of integrity from their players, they should expect it from their coaches as well.
Forget about Kelly, Miles is a better coach anyways.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
i seen my 1st michigan game in 1956....i remember when there was 10,000 people in the whole stadium...bo came along and things changed a whole lot...then carr comes in and nothing changed...college football has evolved to a game much like the west coast offense,michigan choose not to change and now we see the results...les miles will bring that change and in a few short years michigan will have a national championship... us who bleeed blue will be very happy... remember bob ufer is looking down on us...
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