After 30 years of distinguished service to the University of Michigan, associate athletic director and former U-M head football head coach Lloyd Carr will officially retire from the athletic department on Sept. 1.
Slideshow: Lloyd Carr’s career
“I am thankful for the wonderful opportunity to assist two great coaches here in Bo Schembechler and Gary Moeller and I will always appreciate Joe Roberson’s decision to name me the head coach in 1995,” said Carr. “I am also appreciative for those I worked with and for all the great friendships I have developed.”Most of all, I am thankful for the young men I coached and for all the memories I have from my time at Michigan.”Carr’s accomplishments off the field can be measured by his success as a fundraiser for many charitable causes, including his role as co-chair for the campaign to build a new C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, which will open in the fall of 2011. He will remain active in fundraising and keep his position as co-chair for the fundraising effort for the hospitals. He has also aided both the athletic department and the university as a highly sought-after speaker, serving on special committees, and providing helpful advice and mentoring to coaches and staff.”Lloyd Carr’s legacy is an impressive and important part of Michigan’s rich history and tradition of excellence in football,” said U-M President Mary Sue Coleman. “He has served the university as well through his advocacy and passion for a number of philanthropic causes. We are grateful for his long and successful service and wish him well in retirement.””I have known Lloyd since he came to Michigan as an assistant coach,” said Dave Brandon, U-M Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Coach Carr is a man of integrity. I admire and appreciate his love for all of our student-athletes and his many contributions to not only our university, but his work on behalf of numerous charitable causes throughout the state of Michigan.”Carr is retiring after two-and-one-half years as an associate athletic director, but his accomplishments as U-M’s 17th head football coach will be an enduring memory.Following the 2008 Capital One Bowl, Carr retired as U-M football coach with an overall record of 122-40 (81-23 Big Ten), a national championship and five Big Ten Conference titles. He is one of only three U-M coaches to win more than 100 games on the gridiron, an achievement only surpassed by Bo Schembechler and Fielding H. Yost, and he is only the fifth head football coach to lead Michigan to a national title (1997).Carr became just the second Big Ten coach to post an undefeated regular-season record in only his third year of head coaching. He also wrote himself into the NCAA record books, becoming the seventh coach in NCAA history to have reached 29 wins in only three seasons of coaching.Carr has also been involved in the university, community and coaching fraternity. He has been active in support of women’s athletics, endowing a women’s athletics scholarship that is presented annually to a U-M female student-athlete. He initiated the Women’s Football Academy and U-M Men’s Fantasy Football Experience, which donate all proceeds to the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center through the establishment of the Coach Carr Cancer Fund in 1998 in memory of his mother, Pauline, who died of breast cancer. The “Carr Wash for Kids” was an annual event benefiting Mott Children’s Hospital, a cause he continues to support today. He also serves as spokesperson for Mentor Michigan to help recruit men and women to help children in need. He has been involved with local charities such as the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, Washtenaw Literacy and the United Way.In the past, he also worked with Special Olympics, served on the NCAA Rules Committee and was a member of the American Football Coaches Association Board of Trustees. He annually hosts the Hall of Fame football camp in his hometown of Riverview, Mich.Throughout his tenure, he was given the Philip Hart Public Service Award from the Michigan Women’s Studies Association and the Dodge National Athletic Lifetime Achievement Award.Carr is married to the former Laurie McCartney. They have six children: Melissa, Brett, Jason, Ryan, Emily and Jarrett. Jason was a quarterback at U-M and Emily lettered in volleyball. Carr also has 11 grandchildren: Tyler John McCartney, Brendan Massey McCartney, Drew Elizabeth Vigo, Austin Patrick McCartney, Colin Lloyd McCartney, Sydney Ann Vigo, Ethan Michael McCartney, Casey Carr Vigo, Noah Thomas McCartney, Curtis Jason (C.J.) Carr and Thomas Lloyd Carr, with another grandson expected in October.
CAREER COACHING HIGHLIGHTS
1995-2007: Overall record 122-40 (81-23 Big Ten)
Championships
- 1-National (1997)
- 5-Big Ten (1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004)
Awards
- AFCA Coach of the Year (1997))
- Walter Camp Coach of the Year (1997))
- Paul “Bear” Bryant Award (1997))
- AFQ/Schutt Coach of the Year (1997))
- Northern Michigan University Hall of Fame (1997))
- Catholic League Hall of Fame (1997))
- Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (2007))
- Robert R. Neyland Award (2008))
College Coaching
- 1976-77 Assistant (Eastern Michigan))
- 1978-79 Assistant (Illinois))
- 1980-86 Defensive Backs (Michigan))
- 1987-94 Defensive Coordinator (Michigan))
- 1995-2007 Head Coach (Michigan))
High School Coaching
- 1968-69 Assistant Nativity HS (Detroit))
- 1970-73 Assistant Belleville (Mich.))
- 1973-75 Head coach Westland (Mich.) John Glenn
- Regional Class A Coach of the Year (1975))
Tom Gifford - 1970
Coach Carr\’s wins were impressive and appreciated, but as a Michigan man, I am even more appreciative of the character, integrety, and class with which he always played the game and ran the program.
We never worried about Michigan football and knew he was contributing to the growth of the young men in his program.
Thank you Coach – you will be missed.
Reply
Dick Weiermiller - 1963
Lloyd, congratulations on your retirement. Cinda and I and the athletic department will miss your guiding hand of passion, enthusiasm, and integrity. You have been a special person in the history of Michigan. Good luck in the future, It is time to do the things you want to do!
Dick and Cinda Weiermiller
Reply
Richard White - 1969
I will be the first to admit that I did not value coach Carr and was one of the voices that clamored for his replacement. I was a senior the year Coach Schembechler took Michigan to the Rose Bowl and it is against Bo that I measured those that followed. I have come to have a different view of Coach Carr and would thank him for his service to the U of M. Michigan, it is a different place than when I attended but the spirit of University is well exemplified in people like Coach Carr.
Reply
Anne Monterio - 1974
Lloyd:
Just a note of friendship for a wonderful person. We miss you and love you.
Anne and Fred
Reply
Mike Stone - 1963 and 1969
Coach Carr: You distinguished yourself as a coach but more importantly you demonstrated an approach to student athletes that clearly represented their best interests. I thank you for your lasting example of the highest ideals of collegiate athletics.
Reply
Dan Kirby - 1991, 1992
Lloyd Carr, a gentleman and a great football coach. Thanks to Coach Carr for all he has done!
Reply
Ruth Halben - 1995 & 1996
You will always be remembered by our family for the compassion you showed by brother Bill. He was in UM Hospital recovery from a brutal surgery and you came to visit him. You can never know what that meant to him. Bill was one of your biggest admirers both on and off the field. Thank you for all you do. You are truly a hero!
Reply
Paul Rzepka - 1978
Coach Carr,
Thank you for your outstanding work with the Michigan football program. In addition to your accomplishments on the field I was always impressed by how many players honored you for helping them become men of integrity and equipping them for life beyond the gridiron. Your presence and impact at Michigan has increased the pride I have as a Michigan alumnus.
Reply
James Wright - 1969, 1970
Lloyd Carr,
A gentleman with exceptional standards, an outstanding public servant, a great human being, who also happened to coach football. Thanks for being a Michigan Man (State and University)
Reply