This might surprise some people, but I actually have a lot of respect for Lloyd Carr. So many of the Michigan “faithful” have been ready to show him the door for the past seven years — hmm, wonder if it has anything to do with his abysmal record against Tressel’s OSU program? — but if he had amassed this resume at Michigan State, we’d have a sculptor working on his statue as I write this. Take a look:
*Big Ten Championships in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2004
*A share of the 1997 National Championship
*A win-loss record of 121-40
*10-3 against in-state rival MSU
Does this mean Michigan State football fans’ standards are too low? Are Wolverine fans’ standards too high? Probably a bit of both.
I think most people would agree that Carr was never the best sideline coach, but he always had a top-notch staff that kept the team fully stocked with talented players year-in and year-out. Speaking as a Spartan fan who’s lived through five coaches in my lifetime (four since 1999), I would kill to see my team with a situation like this.
And yet, it never felt like Michigan fans were ever truly satisfied with Lloyd Carr. Even during the good years.
Ultimately, as the Ann Arbor News said, it boils down to the fact that:
Fans grew frustrated with Carr’s inability to beat the Buckeyes or win a bowl game.
Not having beaten Michigan or won a bowl game since 2001, I can understand the frustration.
But having seen how tricky it can be to replace a talented coach (Nick Saban), I will say this… be careful what you wish for. Michigan might pull a rabbit out of its hat and score someone like Les Miles as their next head coach (although it sounds like a stretch at this point).
Or they could land the next Charlie Weis.
Time will tell, but considering how much UM’s once-dominant basketball program has crumbled over the past fifteen years, Wolverine fans had better pray that they make the right choice when it comes to selecting this next football coach.
And that’s all I have to say about that.
happy birthday my cutie!
Hey Little Nephew(just kidding), Maybe Michigan will get Les maybe they won’t even though Kirk H. said he thought we would, he said Les isn’t just a Michigan man he “is Bo”, I thought that was funny because it sums up what Michigan is, things that only other schools dream about. Tradition, Tradition, Tradition, and the winningest program in the country. Michigan only gets new coaches every 10-20 years or so, so they pick wisely. Michigan is the most desirable program in the country. It is not only Les Miles “dream” job, it probably is a lot of coaches “dream” job but there is only one Michigan to go around. And that is all I am going to say about THAT!
just keep telling yourself that
Every 20 years? I seem to remember an incident with one Gary Moeller after just five seasons:
For the most part you’re right though. I’m sure UM would be a lot of coaches’ “dream job,” but you’re living in denial if you think Michigan has been the winningest program of the past ten years. Nope, OSU has been the undeniable grandaddy of the Big Ten lately.
Also, has anyone else noticed how Michigan fans have turned Bo Schembechler into the school’s Ronald Reagan over the past ten years? Just like the Republicans, I have a feeling Wolverines will be looking for “the next Reagan” for eternity. This mythical creature that doesn’t exist.
The one thing I give Carr a great deal of credit for was largely under the radar. He made a big contribution back to U-M, earmarked for WOMEN’S athletics. Nobody made him do that, and I respect him for it. As for Miles, I have to wonder why somebody would leave a program with a shot at a national title, just to go to another program “with a shot at a national title” (not to mention a much longer shot, realistically, for the foreseeable future). Maybe he’ll do it, but why? Loyalty to UM? Pffft. My reading of the tea leaves is that he’d be a fool to do that.
I get a kick out of the possible coaches listed in the papers today. After Miles, they’re talking about guys like Kirk Ferentz (man, the bloom has fallen off of THAT rose; they’re 6-6 now after losing to WESTERN MICHIGAN)…either of the current coordinators (I can just hear the moaning out of A2 if either of those guys are promoted)…Schiano (said to be planning to stay at Rutgers until Paterno retires; he’s a former PSU assistant)…Tedford (who’s a west coast guy)… Harbaugh (hahaha…THAT’LL never happen)… Cam Cameron (failed at Indiana, now running the 0-10 Dolphins)… Brian Kelly (no UM roots)… and
Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac (former U-M player, maybe the most intriguing pick). Bottom line: if you don’t get Miles, there are big risks with any of those guys.
And look at UM compared to MSU now: first-year head coach at MSU will get some BT coach of the year votes (Zook’s gonna win it), 7-5, just a game behind UM overall when UM was damn lucky to beat MSU this year; new coach coming to A2…MSU clearly on the upswing, UM headed who knows where. You better throw a lot of money at Miles. If you don’t get him, it’s time to worry about the future of the furry rodents.
Interesting note in the NYT story: the timing hints that Carr does not favor hiring Les Miles, since he’s got a team of his own to coach right now. If UM goes after Miles, they’ll have to wait seven weeks for him; or…he’ll have to ditch his quest for a national title at LSU. They also add Bielema of Wisconsin to the list of names, which seems a stretch…
Apparently most people who are MSU grad or fans don’t know what it is to be a MICHIGAN MAN, it is something they will never know it is more like a religion than a team. As far as “John L.” Dantonio getting any votes for BT coach of the year…dream on. And that really is all I am going to say about that!!!!!
First, on Dantonio getting BT coach of the year votes. Raise your hand if you thought MSU would win seven games this year and make a bowl game. I didn’t think so. I didn’t say he’d win it.
I think I do have a pretty good understanding of how important it is to UM to get a “Michigan man”. It’s a strategy that’s served them well in the past, and I never said it wouldn’t work this time, either. I just don’t think it’s the lead-pipe cinch guaranteeing success, that’s all.
Martin says he wants to name a new coach by the end of December. Do you really want a guy who’d crap all over his team heading into the national championship game, which is what Miles would have to do to take the job next month? Is that the “integrity” you’re looking for?
Miles is not universally popular in A2. At the end of last season, he voted Michigan #3 rather than #2, one reason UM didn’t get a rematch with Ohio State in the national championship game. That has not been forgotten (and what “Michigan man” would do that in the first place?)
My only message to Michigan fans is to be worried about this right now. There’s a lot more room below you than there is above you.