Dear Lloyd Carr,

I like you. I really do! I have supported you through all the naysayers retorts, disappointing losses and questionable play calls. I understand that losses and questionable calls are a part of football, and if a few questionable calls work out that there are fewer losses.

This year has been as disappointing for everybody emotionally involved with Michigan. Last night's LSU win over Florida was extremely reminiscent of Michigan games of old. Even during wins this season, Michigan looks painful.

Thank you for everything, and I hope you stay a part of Michigan football in retirement.

I also look forward to your "chats" with reporters. ;)

Oh, and if I see one more goddamn WR screen...

I don't understand why Michigan fans want to get rid of Lloyd Carr. It just seems like your odds of getting a worse coach are better than your odds of getting a better coach. For you Maize and Blue fans, who do you think would take that Michigan job if it is open at the end of the season?

I don't understand why Michigan fans want to get rid of Lloyd Carr. It just seems like your odds of getting a worse coach are better than your odds of getting a better coach. For you Maize and Blue fans, who do you think would take that Michigan job if it is open at the end of the season?

Les Miles.

Lloyd looks like he is ready to retire. I believe if he had beat Ohio State last season he would have after last season. I like him. I really do. He reminds me a bit of an uncle. I have hoped and hoped and hoped that he would eventually prove all the critics wrong. If it wasn't for coach Miles possibly coming to Ann Arbor on the heels of a possible national championship, I would hope that this offseason he would go out and get a new offensive coordinator. But at this point I think it's getting time for a fresh start with a guy who bleeds maize & blue.

I don't understand why Michigan fans want to get rid of Lloyd Carr. It just seems like your odds of getting a worse coach are better than your odds of getting a better coach. For you Maize and Blue fans, who do you think would take that Michigan job if it is open at the end of the season?

because with the amount of resources (money) this school invests into its football program, they expect to contend for a national title every year. they do not. their biggest rivals hired a guy from 1-aa and have proceeded to contend for a national title AND whip michigan on a regular basis. so why should michigan settle for a caretaker like ole lloyd?

I don't understand why Michigan fans want to get rid of Lloyd Carr. It just seems like your odds of getting a worse coach are better than your odds of getting a better coach. For you Maize and Blue fans, who do you think would take that Michigan job if it is open at the end of the season?

I've been on the "get rid of Lloyd" wagon for quite a while now, and here is why....

I believe the Wolverines underachieve, and I think it's coaching. The reality is that Michigan is one of the schools (with or without Lloyd) that can land whoever they want in terms of recruiting. U of M has that reputation, and kids just want to come. Which means they should have the talent, year in and year out, to be a top 5 school, pushing for championships. It is my belief that the coach is the difference in performance. Preparation, planning, recruiting - all are on Lloyd.

Without Lloyd, I don't believe there will be a talent drop - and I believe that execution needs to be improved.

Les Miles.

Lloyd looks like he is ready to retire. I believe if he had beat Ohio State last season he would have after last season. I like him. I really do. He reminds me a bit of an uncle. I have hoped and hoped and hoped that he would eventually prove all the critics wrong. If it wasn't for coach Miles possibly coming to Ann Arbor on the heels of a possible national championship, I would hope that this offseason he would go out and get a new offensive coordinator. But at this point I think it's getting time for a fresh start with a guy who bleeds maize & blue.
Why the hell would Miles go to Michigan?

Why the hell would Miles go to Michigan?


When he specifically has an "out" clause for one school and one school only, I believe the man would give it serious thought.

Miles is a graduate of Michigan correct?

Miles is a graduate of Michigan correct?

Not only a graduate, but also a coach.

He lettered in 74-75.

Coached with Bo in 80 & 81. Came back to Michigan in 87, and stayed until at least 91 - not sure when he left.

When he specifically has an "out" clause for one school and one school only, I believe the man would give it serious thought.

I just don't see it with the state of the two programs. Maybe I underestimate the man-love that he has for UM, but man...

I just don't see it with the state of the two programs. Maybe I underestimate the man-love that he has for UM, but man...

Well, you can go back to your Almamater and become a legend (or a goat, depending on success) by coming back. It's like Jim Mora Jr saying he'd quit the Falcons right now to coach at Washington. It's the love of the school.

That said, hire Brian Kelly.

When he specifically has an "out" clause for one school and one school only, I believe the man would give it serious thought.


That worked wonders for Notre Dame when they hired Urban Meyer, didn't it?

I just don't see it with the state of the two programs. Maybe I underestimate the man-love that he has for UM, but man...

The way I see it, this season may be the apex of what he can accomplish at LSU. If they continue the way they have been playing, they will win the national championship. While that would be much more than good enough, the chance to come home and rebuild Michigan into a program like LSU currently is would be too tempting for someone with the ties that he has.

His entire family bleeds maize & blue.

He would likely get a contract that would make him one of the highest paid coaches, if not the highest paid coach in college football.

It would end any speculation and questioning he is receiving, and will receive for his entire career as to whether he would prefer the Michigan job.

I also believe that if he leaves at this stage of his career he becomes such a recruiting tool for Michigan that Michigan & USC are fighting for the top spot recruiting every year.

For most coaches, Michigan is a school that would have too much pressure. Bo's shadow is huge and can engulf anyone. I believe Miles would relish that shadow and any comparison.

It may seem like a step down now, but in three years when Michigan is undefeated and is a team that can go up against anybody...

That worked wonders for Notre Dame when they hired Urban Meyer, didn't it?

Exactly

Play it smart michigan, and get Kelly while hes still relatively on the market.

Well, you can go back to your Almamater and become a legend (or a goat, depending on success) by coming back. It's like Jim Mora Jr saying he'd quit the Falcons right now to coach at Washington. It's the love of the school.

That said, hire Brian Kelly.

Baton Rouge seems like an incredible place to be when you are winning. I think if LSU fails to win the national championship this year, that Les would be very tempted to go to Michigan. However, if they win it all, I just can't imagine him leaving all of the adoration after that.

Baton Rouge seems like an incredible place to be when you are winning. I think if LSU fails to win the national championship this year, that Les would be very tempted to go to Michigan. However, if they win it all, I just can't imagine him leaving all of the adoration after that.

Again, if he had no ties to Michigan, I'd agree. But this is a guy who coached there, who knows the lore of Michigan. Not to mention his wife is a Michigan grad. It's a Michigan family through and through and that is why I think if offered he'd take it.

Like handley pointed out, wasnt that the same belief with meyer and ND like 3 years ago?

Like handley pointed out, wasnt that the same belief with meyer and ND like 3 years ago?

I'm sure it was but he had a buyout for two other teams, one being Michigan, so it isn't as if people were all locked on he and ND.

Like handley pointed out, wasnt that the same belief with meyer and ND like 3 years ago?

Meyer doesn't have the same connection to ND that Miles does to Michigan. In that case, it was just a presumption that nobody could possibly turn them down.

Meyer doesn't have the same connection to ND that Miles does to Michigan. In that case, it was just a presumption that nobody could possibly turn them down.

Well, that and Meyer had 5 years as an assistant coach at Notre Dame.

I'm sure Meyer was thrilled with the prospect of being ND's second choice, and cleaning up the mess that the initial hire caused... There is nothing like walking into a situation where you know you weren't wanted until it blew up in their face, now they want you to clean it up and make them look less stupid.

Miles to Michigan is a completely different scenario.

The problem that Miles is going to have down in Louisiana is expectations. Talk to any LSU fan and you would think they had won 10 National Championships. The problem is that expectations are too high. Up until a few yearss back they had never had back to back 10 win seasons. Miles has done that, and he still has some people complaining about the job he is doing. Sure, they might be loony, but that is par for the course down in the Bayou.

Which means they should have the talent, year in and year out, to be a top 5 school, pushing for championships.

You mean like they were before Lloyd got there? I wouldn't call them a Top 5 school year in and year out even with Bo.

it used to be said that if you stay four years, you will go to the Rose Bowl. That mans a lot to Michigan. This year will be another that they will likely not be going. The last trip should have an asterisk on it, as they didn't actually win the Big Ten.

This team had great expectations. Other than Jake Long & Mike Hart the disappointment is stunning. I know the defense lost a lot, but great programs are supposed to have new guys that step up and take their turn. It's taking guys a long time even to seemingly learn how to tackle. Next year the QB will be new, the line will be young (and the right side is what returns,) Greg Matthews might be the top returning receiver (although Manningham needs to come back if he wants a shot at Rd. 1,) and the toughest guy on the field/leading rusher in Michigan history will be gone (if it wasn't for Hart there would not be a single true highlight from this season. You can make a highlight reel from each series with this kid.)

At this point I just have more faith that the program will be headed in a better direction if in four months Les Miles is in charge.

I can only wish that Tony Dungy comes back to his roots in Michigan ands leads the Maize & Blue to a National Championship

I seriously wish Lloyd had been fired two years ago and they had promoted Ron English. Hell, I still hope it happens. C'mon baby, you know you want to...

That should teach me to do more research before asking the question. I didn't realize Miles was a Michigan man. I didn't think Michigan had that strong of a shot with him.

You mean like they were before Lloyd got there? I wouldn't call them a Top 5 school year in and year out even with Bo.

Since you can probably tell I'm not a Michigan fan, I'm not sure where Michigan actually ranked under Bo at the end of seasons, but I know Bo had an awful lot of 10+ win seasons and Rose Bowl trips.

Bo won 80% of the games he coached at Michigan. I think it would be hard to argue Michigan was not a powerhouse program under Bo. I can remember watching quite a few Michigan games growing up just because of Bo's reputation. He was truly a legend of college football.

Miles has done that, and he still has some people complaining about the job he is doing. Sure, they might be loony, but that is par for the course down in the Bayou.

What? Who are you listening too? There are more people NATIONALLY that questioned Miles before and during this year than LSU folks. Its national people saying he "won with Saban's players" It was a Auburn grad Louisiana writer that called Miles the 6th best coach in the SEC and got slammed constantly for it by LSU fans.

LSU fans are not Alabama fans. Alabama fans would sell their souls for national titles and iron bowl wins and then sit on their hands in the middle of great competitive games in the middle of their season. LSU fans just want consistent great teams so we can enjoy our gamedays and look forward to cheering a team we can be proud of every year. And, ok, a national title every once in a while would be nice.

After two straight bowl blowouts, Miles has gotten nothing but love and admiration from LSU fans.

Baton Rouge seems like an incredible place to be when you are winning. I think if LSU fails to win the national championship this year, that Les would be very tempted to go to Michigan. However, if they win it all, I just can't imagine him leaving all of the adoration after that.

I'm not sure how anyone can say "I can't imagine. . ." when it comes to college football coaches. They leave all the time. Sometimes to go to the NFL (Spurrier or Saban), sometimes just to go for a new challenge, sometimes for reasons that aren't apparant at all.

Miles has a lot of ties to Michigan and I could see him go there easily.

I also look forward to your "chats" with reporters. ;)


Agree with that. Whenever I'm watching the game on DVR, and I fast-forward through halftime, I always see Carr get interviewed, then rewind back to see it. I was kind of miffed the Big Ten Network didn't do a halftime interview last weekend.

I'm not sure how anyone can say "I can't imagine. . ." when it comes to college football coaches. They leave all the time. Sometimes to go to the NFL (Spurrier or Saban), sometimes just to go for a new challenge, sometimes for reasons that aren't apparant at all.

Miles has a lot of ties to Michigan and I could see him go there easily.


Well, having lived here for a year and a half, I can just picture how great it was for Saban when he won the half of a national championship. There are so many restaurants that have/had murals of him. When I first got here, before he left for Alabama, he was talked about reverently. I'm sure he was treated like a king before he bolted for the NFL. I know that he did leave for the NFL, and maybe Miles would do that, but even with his Michigan ties, I find it unlikely that he would leave the very cushy Baton Rouge environment immediately after winning a National Championship if he does win it all with LSU this year. I guess it was a poor choice of words on my part, I can imagine Miles leaving. I just think it is unlikely unless it is for the NFL.

Here's a stat I bet no one else has:

Lloyd Carr is 3 points away from setting the record for most points allowed as a Michigan coach.

Schembechler's record was 194-48-5 (.796). Carr is 117-38-0 (.755).

In the Big Ten, Schembechler was 143-24-3 (.850). Carr is 77-21-0 (.786).

So, Carr would have to go 77-10-5 (.864) overall, 66-3-3 (.938) in the conference to match Schembechler's record.

It was a different game then.

sometimes just to go for a new challenge, sometimes for reasons that aren't apparant at all.


$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

That said, hire Brian Kelly.



NO!

NO!

Guy is an offensive genius and knows how to get the most of his players. Plus from my buddy who worked at the atheltic offices at Central Michigan said he is just an awesome guy.

Guy is an offensive genius and knows how to get the most of his players. Plus from my buddy who worked at the atheltic offices at Central Michigan said he is just an awesome guy.

I said no because I am very happy with him being the head coach of Cincinnati.

I said no because I am very happy with him being the head coach of Cincinnati.

Oh I know.

Guy is an offensive genius and knows how to get the most of his players. Plus from my buddy who worked at the atheltic offices at Central Michigan said he is just an awesome guy.

I wonder if the tops at Michigan know about this ? If not, someone should definately let them know that your buddy said he's an awesome guy. :D

Might as well, the way you guys are locking into Miles(which i think is just dreaming). You guys arent even doing basic research, so michigan might not know how awesome of a guy he really is ;)

There are a lot of LSU fans in the Houston area, and one of the AM sports guys is an alum, so we get some discussion out of Baton Rouge. Based on that admittedly small sample, I get the feeling that Miles is not particularly well-liked or respected by the LSU faithful, despite the success he's had. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if he ends up in Ann Arbor next year.

I dont doubt that one bit...he wasnt well liked at his last stop before LSU either...but his resume also seems to indicate he likes to take steps forward, and not steps back. And no matter what you think, Michigan is currently a step back from LSU. If he does, then ill switch to discussing his merit as a coach(great game coach, but i have my doubts about his recruting acumen do far). Until then, ill wait and see

I think I may slightly prefer Kelly right now, but here is a quote from a Miles coached player at OSU, Sam Mayes:

"He was never an Oklahoma State Cowboy, and I don’t think that he’s an L.S.U. Tiger right now. I think he’s always going to be a Michigan man. I don’t think he’ll be content until he gets to that point. The way he would talk about Michigan and bring it up, ‘When I was at Michigan.’ Michigan this and that. It was like this golden fleece for him. I love my school, but with him it was something different. You had to see it. He’d say Michigan and get down on one knee. It was just crazy. People around here are joking that Les Miles has got Michigan colors on under his L.S.U. colors."

and here is a quote from Miles himself:

"I don’t want you to take the fast, hard line. I want you to hear me out. I am indebted to that school and those people. Not Lloyd or the president there. But the tremendous memory of Bo Schembechler, and the quality that I was exposed to both academically and in football at the school. So I cannot in any way change that view. That’s an honesty. I can’t tell you my appreciation. My wife, my first born, my entire life is marked by my time at Michigan. Yet, I’m in a wonderful place here. I’ve got a great team. If I lose or have any distraction to that fact, that I would spend fun time, my time on something else like the view of that, would be a mistake. It would be a mistake and I really can’t.

When I was a young coach, I had a school call me. It was so distracting. I did everything that I was supposed to do, but it affected me. Things like this really have no day-to-day change in the way I do things. I woke up at 4 a.m. today and I’m daydreaming, I’m not thinking about anything else but how to make this football team better. That to me is the right feel. I have great confidence in Michigan and they have a great staff there and they’re going to do great things this year. I have no designs and nor has it ever been displayed to me that I’m the next guy, by anybody. I have given little or no thought to things that are not imminent. I really don’t want to spend any more time talking about another program.

Lloyd Carr won a national championship and that staff is as quality as there is. I fully support what they’re doing there."

Now that isnt definitive one way or the other, but it is interesting. Many people close to the situation expect Miles to take the job if offered. That may change with a NC, who knows? Michigan is the job he has always wanted. His family has been raised as UM fans regardless of where he worked. IMO any other coach stays at LSU without question, Miles is just the one exception.