8 - Tuesday, November 20, 2007 CARR'S BIG WINS 1 November 22,1997: Michigan vs. Ohio State at home. Won 20-14. The second-biggest win of Carr's head coaching career put Michigan in the National Championship game. Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson had three big plays. A 37-yard reception set up the game's first touchdown, a 78-yard punt return touchdown put Michigan ahead by 13 and an interception in the Ohio State end zone in the third quarter helped seal both the game and a perfect Big Ten season. Michigan fans ran victory laps around the Big House and lit cigars on the 50- yard line. Carr called his team's run "truly a dream season," and he was viewed almost as perfectly by the media: "Gone are the critics who said Lloyd Carr could not coach," Daily columnist John Leroi wrote after the game. 2 January 1,1998: Michigan vs. Washington State at Rose Bowl. Won 21-16. Carr's coaching record and reputation only got better. The Wolverines' dream season ended with a 5-point win over Washington State that cemented a national title. Senior co-captain Eric Mayes called 1997 "the single greatest season ever - in college football history." Carr was recognized as Coach of the Year for leading an undefeated team and a Heisman Trophy winner. "I'm really proud of this team," Carr said after the game. "They answered every question asked of them, and they embraced the pressure of being number one. This team has tremendous heart and character, and that's what got us here." But the voters' decision that Michigan would split the National Championship title with Nebraska after its 42-17 bowl game win didn't sit well with Carr. He called it "disappointing," and the split was the only asterisk on Carr's best season as the Wolverines' head coach. 3 January 1,2000: Michigan vs. Alabama at Orange Bowl. Won 35-34, OT. Early in Carr's career, the Wolverines were known for winning bowl games - and the 2000 Orange Bowl was one of Carr's best starts to the New Year. Quarterback Tom Brady was 33-of-45 for 344 yards in his last game as a Wolverine, leading Michigan to a 28-28 tie at the end of regulation. Alabama missed its extra point after Michigan scored on its first drive of overtime, and the win marked a high point in the Wolverines' then-dominance - three straight 10-win seasons and three straight bowl wins. "We wanted to earn some respect around the country," Carr said. "I think this game was important in doing that." Carr was initially criticized for the way he handled the running game, first overusing it and then abandoning it after the first half. As was typical during his 13-year tenure, he diffused the situation after the game with humor. "I'm sure you people said I was an idiot for trying to run the ball - that there was no way that Michigan could run against Alabama," Carr said. "Much slower than the rest of you, I came to the same conclusion." 4 October 30,2004: Michigan vs. Michigan State at home. Won 45-37,3 OT. Michigan was trailing 27-10 with eight and a half minutes remaining, but, largely thanks to Braylon Edwards's two quick touchdowns, the Wolverines tied the game at 27 with three minutes left. The Wolverines pulled out the win with yet another Edwards touchdown and a Tim Massaquoi two-point conversion catch. The epic triple-overtime thriller was the biggest comeback in Carr's tenure. "Anybody who saw this game, either in this stadium or across the country on television, saw one of the greatest football games, in my opinion, ever played," Carr said. 5 October 15, 2005: Michigan vs. Penn State at home. Won 27-25. Carr's clockwork gives Michigan a chance to win. With a magnificent touchdown catch from Mario Manningham as time expired, the victory saved the Wolverines from falling to 3-4 on the season. But the last-second win wouldn't have been possible without Carr arguing for two seconds to be added to the game clock in the final minute. The win marked the high point of a disappointing season for Carr and the Wolverines, who concluded with a loss to Ohio State and a defeat in the Alamo Bowl against Nebraska. Still, a rough season would have been much worse had Carr's antics not prevented Penn State from being in the National Championship hunt. COURTNEY RATKOWIAK The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 4 Michigan coach Lloyd Carr's departure puts the future of his coaching staff and potential recruits in jeopardy. Who w1 Carr' departure affect? By DANIEL BROMWICH Daily Sports Editor Signs yesterday's announce- ment was coming started as early as last December. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr signed an addendum to his contract allowing him to col- lect $300,000 as long as he was employed by Michigan "in any capacity," regardless of whether or not he remained the head foot- ball coach. Previously, the contract mandated Carr still hold the posi- tion of head football coach in order to receive the compensation. Another signal came last March. Carr's current coaching staff signed two-year extensions, guaranteeing they would be paid through 2009. Many interpreted these moves as indications this season was Carr's last. Those predictions were validated by Carr's retire- ment announcement yesterday. With a national coaching search already in motion and Carr set to become an associate athletic director, what's next for Carr's current assistants, players and recruits is uncertain. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and defensive coordi- nator Ron English may both be candidates to replace Carr. But neither is thought to be atop the list, and so the question remains of what they will do next year ifa new coach is brought in. Neither DeBord nor English directly addressed their situation. "That's a tough question, tough question," English said. "Tough in a sense that my whole focus was beating Ohio State and worry about whatever happens after that. And, to be honest, I left the building (Sunday) night, went to my son's piano recital and, to be honest, I haven't thought much about much. I'm sure in the next few hours I'll be thinking about what's going on." DeBord said Carr had talked to his assistants about what he wanted for them next year but preferred not to disclose the con- tent of the meeting. "I think I'll keep those things personal," DeBord said. "That was in a staff meeting, so I think that's where it should stay." Running backs coach Fred Jackson, who has coached along- side Carr for 16 seasons, elabo- rated a bit more. Jackson is thought to be key in the recruitment of star Texas running back Sam McGuffie, who has verbally committed to the Wolverines. Jackson's poten- tial departure from the program could lead McGuffie to change his mind. The coach talked about the importance of the program's integrity. "I sit down, I talk to some NFL guys sometimes, and they say to me, 'I can't believe you got that kid, you didn't buy this kid,' " Jackson said. "So you have to recruit against that all the time. And I just feel I couldn't work for somebody who is going to ask me to compromise my integrity." Asked specifically if he would talk about Louisiana State coach Les Miles, widely thought to be the leading candidate to replace Carr, Jackson refused to com- ment. "No, I don't want to giveno opinion on nobody," Jackson said. "I don't want give an opinion. I've worked with Les. That's all I can tell you. I worked with him for a couple of years and I've met him out there recruiting. That's all I can say." Carr said he strongly consid- ered the consequences of his retirement relevant to the cur- rent recruiting class when he determined when he would make the announcement. Speculation was that the tim- ing of Carr's announcement would indicate whom he wanted to replace him. But Carr debunked those thoughts before he was even asked. "My timing is based a thing: what's best for Mi football," Carr said. "The no other motives. This ann. ment is made at a time wh recruiting process canbeh in a way that this program forward. To do it any late: it after a bowl game, woul been absolutely ridiculous. Since a coach gets ju visit with each recruit - d as going into a recruit's h high school - Carr exp the timing of his retireme allow his successor to in ately visit the recruits and commitments. Carr also indicated he a staff had contacted theI who have said they will be of the next recruiting cla that those players have be that the scholarship offe remain on the table. "It's about holdingc recruiting class," Carr sa this recruiting class falls four years from now, th hole in Michigan footbal only important thing here program." According to Riva cornerback Boubacar C who might head to I and McGuffie are the r thought to be in the most4 SEARCH From page 1 official, rumors have circulated about potential replacements. Louisiana State coach Les Miles has received a lot of press as a candidate for the position. Miles played offensive guard for the Wolverines in the mid-1970s and coached on Schembechler's staff. Miles came up in a number of questions during and after yesterday's press confer- ence, but no one would comment on that possibility. Even in his own press confer- ence yesterday, Miles declined to comment other than to say he is happy with his job coaching the Tigers. Miles's candidacy may hinge on Loui- siana State's success. The Tigers are currently ranked No. 1 in the Bowl Cham- pionship Series standings and could play for a National Championship. It's unlikely Miles would take the Michigan job before Louisiana State's sea- son ends, forcing Martin to wait until the second weekin January if he wants to hire Miles. Louisiana State was concerned enough about Miles's interest in the Michigan coaching job that it included a cause in his contract saying Miles would owe the uni- versity $1.25 million if he leaves to coach the Wolverines. Miles isn't the lone currentcollege head coach rumored to be a candidate for the position. Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz - who was hired during University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman's tenure as president of the University of Iowa - and California's Jeff Tedford have been mentioned as pos- sible successors to Carr. Carr may be partial to one of his assis- tant coaches step up to take the reins, rumored to be a potential successor, or his favorite player during his tenure. As 10:40 came around, Carr's candid responses that showed a mixture of remi- niscence, gratitude and humor came to an end. Athletic Director Bill Martin came to the podium and relieved the coach, whose job security Martin continually assured during past seasons. Once Martin ended his speech with "Go Blue and Go Lloyd," Carr went to the front row, hugging his wife and shaking hands with other family members and friends. of de-committing. on one When asked how a program chigan keeps recruits through a transi- re are tional time like this, English said ounce- that they have to be sold on the en the school. andled "Michigan's been Michigan can go for a long time, and it's not going r, to do to change," English said. "I told d have the kids yesterday there are only a handful of truly elite programs st one in this country, and this is one of efined them. There are a lot of schools ome or that have fleeting success, but lained this is one of the elite schools in nt will the country. And whoever is here, nmedi- don't forget that." secure Carr's retirement might also affect current players deciding nd his whether or not to enter the NFL players Draft. a part Junior wide receiver Adrian ss, and Arrington is one such player, en told but he said Sunday he hadn't yet rs will thought about what he would do next year. onto a Carr's decision, which could be id. "If seen coming nearly a year away, apart, shifted this entire program, from ere's a his current staff to his future 11. The recruits. is this But the reason he had such a drastic effect on Michigan was Is.com, because of how big a part of it he issoko, was. llinois, "He is Michigan football," ecruits English said. "He embodies this danger program." though he wouldn't say so officially. If that's the case, the attraction is mutual. "Certainly. Who wouldn't?" said defen- sive coordinator Ron English when asked if he'd be interested in taking the head coachingjob. Along with English, offensive coordina- tor Mike DeBord is considered a possible replacement. But Michigan ties are not a necessary condition for the job, Martin said. English and DeBord are both under con- tract through the 2008 football season. Carr will not have an official role in the search for a new head coach, but his opin- ion will be sought in evaluating specific coaches, Martin said. Martin began doing investigations into the backgrounds of about "a dozen" candi- dates in September after Carr told him he would retire at the end of the season. The investigations look into candidate's per- sonal background rather than coaching experience. Martin expects to hire a private firm that works exclusively on personal back- ground checks to do much of the work, as he did during his two basketball coach searches. "I've been watching several folks very closely this last year," Martin said. "Not so much the wins and losses or their offensive and defensive strategy. I've been watching their press conferences. How do they pres- ent themselves after an emotional loss, what are they saying, how do they look? Those are the important things." There will be significant time pressure going forward, especially as the recruiting season comes to an end, but Martin has just one timetable. "However long it takes to get the right person," Martin said. "If I could get this done by the end of the (calendar) year, that would be great." Martin went on to answer questions about Carr and his future successor with the mediasafter the press conference, as did many of Carr's assistants. But before looking forward to the future entirely, Martin made sure to let everyone know how much Carr's service at Michi- gan was appreciated. "I think Lloyd is going to be hard to replace," Martin said. "You could probably get coachesinhere that could equalhis win- loss percentage, but will they represent this institution in all the ways thatLloyd does?" 4 4 I 4 4 ILLgSRAyniO coaHN OQUIST Michigan coach Lloyd Carr will leave Michitan as the prograw's third-winningest coach ever. 4 PRESS From page 1 from the leftside of the room, which mostly consisted of family friends, former coaches, players and other friends of the program. Carr then opened the floor to media questions for 28 more minutes. Carr spoke about reasons behind his decision ("It was time, it was the right time"), advice for a successor ("You've got to be able to take a punch and know that all those punches are worth it") and what the emotions were like at the team meeting Sunday when he told his players and staff he was leaving. "(Sunday) was one of the most emotional days of my life," Carr said. "I cried more tears than I knew I had." Carr, who answered many of the ques- tions with watery eyes, faced a couple ques- tions he didn't want to answer, though..., The former National Coach of the Year wouldn't discuss his legacy, his thoughts on Louisiana State coach Les Miles, who is 4 I b