Carr is a tough guy to rattle
U-M coach stands ground despite criticism, 2-2 start
By Bob Wojnowski / The Detroit News
Bob Wojnowski
ANN ARBOR -- This is what Lloyd Carr does, right or wrong. He stands in another swirl of adversity and doesn't bend. While others yelp for change, he seldom yields, right or wrong.
Panic mounting? Nope.
Doubt festering? Nope.
Major lineup shuffling? Probably not.
This is what Carr does, and it drives some Michigan fans crazy. It's also what keeps Michigan's program steady and successful, although not right now, out of the national rankings for the first time since 1998.
Not much ever changes at Michigan, which is usually good and occasionally bad. Some things do need to change soon, with the Wolverines (2-2) reeling as they head into Saturday's game at Michigan State (4-0). As the noise grows ever louder, Carr's greatest quality -- that he doesn't waver -- is construed by some as his greatest flaw -- that he doesn't adjust.
The way Carr sees it, his role is to lead the only way he knows how, as he faces what might be the toughest challenge of his career.
"A leader is a dealer in hope," Carr said Tuesday. "There's a great line from (Rudyard) Kipling, that you must keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. That's where I am. I'm trying to stay focused on what I can do to help our team win. It's simplistic, I know. But the only people who are going to make decisions regarding this team are me and our coaches. Anything else is a recipe for failure."
This was not angry, defiant Carr. This was calm, practical Carr, who said he accepts the pointed criticism.
But it's important we're all clear on this -- way too much energy is wasted by those who scream for Carr to go. To suggest his job is in jeopardy is ridiculous. Does he need to seek fresh ideas on offense and demand more from his defensive staff? Yes. Can he be stubborn and predictable? Sure.
But with five Big Ten titles in 10 years and a share of the 1997 national championship, Carr has earned every benefit of the doubt, and any clear-thinking person would agree.
People gripe about four-loss seasons but that has happened only once in eight years, and Michigan has gone to nine straight New Year's bowls.
People gripe about losing big games -- a troubling trend of late -- but Carr has a winning record against every rival except Notre Dame (3-4) and is 14-5 against top-10 opponents.
I still believe he'll retire on his own terms within a couple of years and that's how it should be, barring a complete collapse (definition of complete collapse: back-to-back losing seasons).
As for the blame game? Some of it is deserved. Some of it is wildly overblown. Michigan does seem more interested in out-clobbering opponents than out-clevering them.
When the Wolverines don't have a significant talent edge, they can falter. In their last six games, they've beaten two Mid-American Conference teams and no one else.
Carr isn't hiding from the critics. He just knows he can't be affected by them, not right now.
"I don't read it, I don't listen to it," he said. "I tell everybody, 'Don't bring that stuff in here.' But I also know that's part of the job, and I'm fine with that. In this job, the hard thing is, it's all about winning. But that's also the fair thing. There's a scoreboard up there, and, at the end of the game, you either measured up or you didn't. And there are consequences if you didn't. I understand that completely."
He has learned to understand it better. The problem is, the current downward trend could get worse, especially if sophomore quarterback Chad Henne continues to struggle.
But often, Carr does his best work in times of adversity. He has been a crisis manager from the moment he became head coach, replacing deposed friend Gary Moeller. That 12-0 season in '97 came when Carr was most embattled.
He has persevered -- his .758 winning percentage ranks fifth among active Division I-A coaches -- and so have most of his teams. Resiliency is an admirable trait, just not admirable enough for those who unrealistically demand annual national-title contention, who wonder why Michigan can't match Southern California, Miami and Florida State, even though the records the past 10 years are comparable. That lack of perspective is why many good coaches, Carr included, don't get the credit they deserve.
No one wants to hear that now, and that's fair. Carr knows it's all about today, this season. If the Wolverines somehow finished with their first losing record in 38 years, changes would be demanded. He might even make some.
But right now? No wavering.
Though Henne looks shaken, there's no indication backup Matt Gutierrez will get a longer look. I asked Carr if he had any tough decisions to make this week.
"As far as personnel, no," he said.
What about philosophy, or play-calling?
"There are a lot of different philosophies and opinions, but you've got to know what you believe in," he said. "As far as changes, the fastest way to fail is to be distracted by things going on around you. I look at this season and I see a fine line, that without a couple of turnovers, things could be different."
It's possible to argue Michigan has lost close games to Notre Dame and Wisconsin primarily because it botched prime scoring opportunities. The defense is improving. There is still plenty of talent. But then you watch Michigan State play with such flair, and the Wolverines play so tentatively, and you wonder what's missing.
Tailback Mike Hart and offensive tackle Jake Long have been missing, although Hart probably will be back Saturday. Receiver Braylon Edwards is missing, but that excuse needs to end right now. Top programs lose great players every year.
When the Wolverines held a players-only meeting Sunday night, they said they talked about playing with more intensity and confidence. That's where Carr and his staff need to take responsibility.
That's also why Carr appeared oddly relaxed when he spoke about his team's plight. He knows it has been beaten up, and needs to be lifted. He also seems to relish the rare role of underdog, although he would never admit it.
As he often does, Carr, a well-read man, turns to history for guidance.
"(Winston) Churchill said, 'In war, resolution. In defeat, defiance. And in victory, magnanimity,' " Carr said. "As a team and a program, we have to stay together and resolve to fight our hearts out."
Resolute, defiant, magnanimous. Right now, Carr is working on the first, maybe harder than he ever has.
You can reach Bob Wojnowski at
[email protected].
Awwwe poor Lloyd
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classic.
