Lloyd Carr: 'I am not a candidate' to be Michigan athletic director
Former Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr said Wednesday he is not interested in replacing Bill Martin as athletic director.
"I am not a candidate," Carr said.
He declined comment on any other matters related to the athletic department's search to replace Martin, who announced he'll step down next September after 10 years with the university.
Michigan released a statement from Carr earlier Wednesday.
"In 2000 when Bill Martin became the athletic director at Michigan, we were well behind our peers from a facilities standpoint," Carr said in the release. "Today, we are at the forefront and the monumental changes that Bill and his team have orchestrated have positioned Michigan athletics in excellent position for decades to come. "The athletic campus is not Bill’s only legacy, but it will be an enduring legacy. Every coach and student-athlete who compete here in the future and all Michigan fans will benefit from Bill Martin’s vision and hard work. Personally, I have much admiration for the dramatic improvements at Michigan Stadium and the efforts in pushing forward on the Al Glick Field House. I join the many in expressing our appreciation and gratitude."
Carr, who retired after the 2007 season with a 122-40 career record and one national championship, is a senior athletic director at Michigan. Earlier this year, he joined DHR International as a consultant to assist in the search firm's sports practice.
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
15crown00
Sat, Oct 24, 2009 : 10:54 a.m.
This good man doesn't the headaches that Rich the SNAKE OIL SALESMAN brings to the table.
Fresh121
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 8:30 p.m.
I think LC is staying in the background, but he should be out there alittle more for the program.Asfar as RR u seen the talent he got at WVU he needs his few years to get all of his fasty shifty players.he for sure needs to learn to recruit defense,RR is a great coach he turned pat white and steve slaton into impact players..give him the 5 years you need to decide if a coach is a good hire..Go Blue Penn st-24 Michigan-28
magoblue
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 6:12 p.m.
Interesting reading...even the comments. Anyone remember how much we heard from Bo the first year or so after he started working in the back offices? not much in the news. And LC was a good coach, and would make a good AD. His interests are still firmly planted at Michigan. Think he took the job because he needed the money? He wants to carry on the Bo legacy by supporting Michigan through his "retirement". It's LC's first year NOT being a coach, cut him some slack to learn the new job. AS far as the talk about him and RR, get real. Lloyd would never do anything to jeopardize the program.
DwightSchrute
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 12:40 p.m.
As of now, Lloyd is not a candidate. That is true. That very well could change next week, 2 months from now 8 months from now when they get their cast of finalists.
jeremy
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 11:56 a.m.
Do any of the "lloyd haters" know if lloyd has in fact not reached out to richrod? Is there any proof that it isnt rich himself who has ignored lloyd. Its been stated numerous times that lloyd doesnt go to the practices and when rich made the statements about the cupboards being bear, how should lloyd feel after knowing if he would have stayed on board he would have had his offensive line (minus Long), Mallet (who is doing great in Arkansas), plus probably manningham and arrington. It wouldnt have been bare for lloyd. Seems to me people are forgetting that part of the transition. Who knows whats really going on behind the scenes.
TheChosenOne
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 11:35 a.m.
amaizenman, RR has done more with this "young" team than LC could ever get done? didn't LC go to a rose bowl with a true freshman QB (henne) and RB (hart)?
butlers91
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 10:45 a.m.
I agree that we cannot speculate on what goes on behind closed doors. But we can definitely talk about what has or has NOT gone on with those doors wide open. Lloys has not voiced anything close to support for the current staff, nor the current team. He helped a crabby player transfer to Ohio State. He also hung out with Iowa brass during the Michigan/iowa game - which was weird. I don't hold Lloyd in very high regard right now, and I feel there are many who share my view on this.
1998pa
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 10:35 a.m.
azwolverine, once again you prove to be one of the more level-headed wolverines fans. i'm not a michigan fan...simply an observer. but what you say make sense. you can be cheer your butt off for RR to succeed, yet still be skeptical. and really, why wouldn't you? there are question marks. you can hope and pray for them to be answered positively, from a wolverines perspective. but that doesn't mean they aren't there right now. to me, it's bizarre that wolverines fans would question lloyd carr's support of and loyalty to michigan. that dude is michigan to the core. if there's ANYTHING he's about, it's michigan. as a state fan, i actually didn't like the guy because he was SO hardcore maize and blue. i respected the hell out of him for what he stood for, but i admit he grated on me as a hardcore green-and-white fan. but here's my question: if you're going to assume that carr is purposely keeping his distance from RR because he doesn't support this new direction, why assume that carr is wrong? isn't he the one that proved all along he's true blue? if carr is true blue, yet doesn't care for this new direction, then maybe -- just maybe -- he's right. i don't think it's fair to make that judgment just yet. nevertheless, it's not fair -- nor wise -- to assume that michigan will inevitably rise to the glory days of yost or schembechler. it might...but one never knows.
ML07
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 9:43 a.m.
Agree with azwolverine - LC does nto deserve the hate or the bashign some of the fans are giving him. FOlks need to stop perpetuating the faction stuff. Who knows what LC, BM, MSC and RR have discussed and agreed on? NOne of us and it isn't our job to call it out. All these jobs have backroom politics but message boards aren't going to solve them. One can be supportive of both RR and LC. I never thought LC would want the AD job - he has earned and deserves to do what he wants and he still represents us well. He is still supportive of the University and athletics (despite what others suggest). So let RR win, let LC do his thing and let those who have the responsible jobs handle the poltics. meanwhile, unite and GO BLUE, beat Penn State.
azwolverine
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 8:58 a.m.
Carr was and is a dedicated, lifelong Michigan man. RR is working his tail off to get to that point. The last thing he need or wants is for fans to create a division among the Michigan fan base pitting him against Carr. For fans that truly support both Michigan and RR, it's time to take RR's "forward thinking" approach and move forward. He will earn his support with wins on the field.
maizenbluenc
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 8:26 a.m.
I do think it is odd that Lloyd releases a statement wishing Bill Martin well, but has no public comment in support of the UofM football program what so ever. I am not accusing Lloyd of "flipping the big middle finger", or secretly running an undermining campaign against Rich because Rich wasn't his choice. I guess I just expect some support from him in his "senior statesman role".
amaizenman
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 7:03 a.m.
Heartbread RR has had one full recruiting class. He was hired in December 07,signing day was Feb 08. He did do a remarkable job of securing several recruits during the last few weeks of that recruiting season. To knowlegeable football people, we can see the vast improvements in this team. It isn't just about who we have beat that determines if there has been improvement. As for creating a divide in the program, I call it like it is, LC has proven to be a slim ball in his lack of support for this program.
Paratrooper72
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 5:20 a.m.
It wouldn't be the smartest decision he ever made if he (Carr)went after the the AD's position. Carr himself is to polarized at Michigan (either he is loved or hated, i suspect it's more of the former!)and I agree their is mo loved lost between RR & himself. It wouldn't do the team any good for these two to "talk". Carr is doing the right thing by staying out of RR way. If he did get involved, he would be accused of "interfering" and any way, it's up to RR if he sinks or swims!
uminks
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 12:09 a.m.
Actually, I think there is more of a divide among UM fans. Though, I have heard there are those in the athletic department who were not too fond of the RR hire. I can't prove that LC is one of them. I did hear through sources that LC did consult quite a bit with Martin on the new coach hire. So, it did not surprise me that we didn't offer the job to Les Miles, since LC was probably not in favor of that hire. I have UM friends including my Brother who were not happy with the RR hire and the end of the pro-set offense. They were upset that UM would end the QB factory and thought the spread was boring. I disagree, this offense is much more exciting than a drop back QB! Well hopefully RR will be given a fair chance to get 4 to 5 more years to build this program into a BCS quality team. If he can't then we should send him packing, but I'm fairly certain he will return our program back into a top 10 program here in the next couple of years.
azwolverine
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 10:40 p.m.
hearbreakM, AMEN! I think all of the RR v. Lloyd crap is created by clueless fans who act like they know something that they just flat out don't. It's divisive, not unifying AT ALL. I want RR to succeed becuase he's the coach at Michigan. Guess what? Fans can actually respect and admire Lloyd and still pull for RR to succeed. That said, 122-40 is alot more impressive than 8-11 no matter what subjective opinions you try to attach to it. Don't forget, Lloyd was a Bo disciple and Bo talked him out of retiring more than once. Those who say Bo would ask Lloyd to step up and be a Michigan man just plain don't get it. Lloyd is the epitome of a Michigan man. Pull for Michigan, pull for RR, just stop dividing the house under the false guise of trying to unify it. GO BLUE!!!
HailToASquared
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 10:22 p.m.
Rodriguez has never been close to a national championship? Learn2CollegeFootball... he was 1 game away from the national championship
umvoiceofreason
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 10:13 p.m.
For everyone that has nothing good to say about Lloyd Carr remember this; he is the only coach in the last 50 years to bring a national championship to Michigan. Your beloved Bo NEVER won a national championship. Bo's archenemy Woody, won 5 national championships. Rich Rodriguez hasn't even been close to sniffing a championship. So as far as Michigan fans should be concerned, Lloyd could take a crap on the 50 yard in the Big House, plant OSU flags in both end zones and he STILL would be better than the last two coaches (Bo and Gary) and the current one (Rich).
LakeErieMaize/Blue
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 8:05 p.m.
Sometimes silence DOES speak louder than words!People that TALK too much usually have NOTHING IMPORTANT to say,like most of you who don't have a clue what Lloyd is doing behind closed doors.And if you think there is THAT much dividing (against RR)going on,well buddy,CHANGE will do that to people who are afraid of change,or don't want to see change take place.But since you think Lloyd carr is THE ONE,the only Michigan Man who can unite everyone,no one else deserves blame!Again,True Wolverines understand and respect what Lloyd Carr DID,is DOING, and HAS DONE for Michigan(as well as all of the other past coaches).Love him or hate him,LLOYD CARR IS MICHIGAN,you will NEVER take that away from him!!Respect our past and good luck against Penn St.GO BLUE!!!
heartbreakM
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 7:30 p.m.
Hey tater and amaizenem: You both sure are critical of LC, while calling him out for supposedly being behind anti-RR sentiment. You are actually publicly doing what you accuse him of doing--dividing the Michigan family, that is. Shame on you both. And Amaizen--while I hope Michigan wins this weekend, your statement of turning this program around sure doesn't hold true so far. Wow, we beat Eastern, Western, Del State, and Indiana this year. That sure puts us in elite position. Did you happen to catch who else beat these teams? Like EVERYBODY!!! Yes, the ND win was exciting and great, but Rod has had 2 classes of recruits to improve his team, and until he starts winning against elite competition (as if the B10 has any), let's hold your horses a bit. Let's see Rod actually do something first.
hroad
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 7:30 p.m.
I recall Lloyd Carr said basically the same thing about replacing Gary Moeller as the permanent football coach.
amaizenman
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 7:22 p.m.
LC has certainly gotten a golden parachute at Mich. He took top rated recruiting classes and turned them into average teams. He continuously lost games he shouldn't have with his conservative nature. He thought he had the same power as Bo before him and found out he didn't. He was bound and determined to get one of his assistants the head coaching job and when it was apparent that wasn't going to happen he turned his back on the entire program, but he continues to take their money. Hopefully, the new AD will get rid of this slim ball. People can say what they want about Rick Leach, but I believe he is on the right trail when he says "investigate who is behind the negative crap" being dumped on RR and his team. Don't be surprised if he was behind Tony Clemons making his statements. I get sick to my stomach every time I think about LC and underachieving teams he continued to put on the field. RR is getting more done with this "young" team than LC could ever get done. If LC was a coaching a team with as young as this one we would be 2-5 at best. Go Blue lets kick some A$$ against PSU this Saturday
HailToASquared
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 6:29 p.m.
Do Lloyd Carr and Rich Rodriguez ever meet up and discuss anything? Football or other things? I'm just curious- people are always saying Carr doesn't like the Rodriguez hire. I'm wondering if they EVER talk or what? It Lloyd is so involved with Michigan things behind the scenes still, but doesn't speak often to Rodriguez, shame on Carr. I loved him as our coach (aside from playing "conservative", sometime allowing teams back in the game).. but the guy needs to grow a pair if he's actually ignoring/not speaking to Rodriguez as much as possible.