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Behind The Scenes: Carr's Last Ride

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By LARRY LAGE, The Associated Press

Published: January 4, 2008

The Capital One Bowl marked the end of an era at Michigan as Lloyd Carr retired after a 13-season career as coach, paving the way for Rich Rodriguez to lead college football's winningest team as the first "non-Michigan man" since Bo Schembechler in 1969. Carr granted Associated Press sports writer Larry Lage behind-the-scenes access for his final two-plus days in charge, allowing a reporter in a Michigan locker room before a game and at halftime for the first time in at least four decades.

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Team Meeting, Monday Afternoon

Chatter turns into silence as soon as Carr steps in the front of the team. He introduces guest speaker Jim Mandich, a former Michigan star who played for the undefeated and championship-winning Miami Dolphins in 1972.

"I've played in a perfect season and in Super Bowls," Mandich says. "But I'm proudest of playing for the maize and blue."

For the first time in at least a couple of days, someone stands before the players and says what many have said.

"They're saying that you'll be out of focus for the game because of all the chaos and change," Mandich tells the players. "Concentrate on what you can control. That's all that matters."

Mandich says what has been whispered by many in the program since Carr announced his retirement plans on Nov. 19 and Rodriguez was hired a month later.

"I don't know what the future of Michigan football is," Mandich says. "But I do know Michigan will never forget Lloyd Carr, one of the greatest leaders I've ever known.

"Lloyd, I salute you."

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Team Meetings, Tuesday Morning
Offensive players file into the ballroom one last time, silently finding a seat.

"There's a lot of energy in this room, isn't there?" offensive coordinator Mike DeBord asks. "Don't forget to stay focused and remember the vow you made to your teammates - play hard on every play for 60 minutes."

Carr sits in the back of the room with gray slacks and a blue sport coat, holding a piece of paper with his hands clasped, head down and eyes closed as if he's in prayer.

After the defensive meeting next door breaks and those players join their offensive teammates, Carr walks to the front of the room.

"We want to be the smart team out there today, and a smart team doesn't turn the ball over or commit penalties" he says. "We want to be the most physical team today. Knock them off the line of scrimmage!

"Today, play for each other and play for Michigan. Play with great poise, great pride and great toughness. And gentlemen, when this day is over, we'll be celebrating."

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The Bus Ride To The Stadium

The 15-minute drive to the stadium, thanks to a police escort, is so silent the clicking sound of hazards lights is the only sound you hear.

As the offensive and defensive buses pulls closer to the Citrus Bowl, Florida supporters taunt the Wolverines with their signature Gator chop.

The coaches and players file out of each bus, making a 3-minute stroll - dubbed the "Victors Walk" - through a tunnel of Michigan fans and its band, belting out the school's famous fight song.

Mike Hart walks past team managers holding bowls of gum just past the doors of the locker room, then turns around to grab a handful.

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Locker Room, Pregame

Jon Falk, who Schembechler hired to be his equipment manager in 1974, runs the show behind the scenes in the locker room and is the program's historian.

"It's a businesslike day, but also a sad one because this is the end of Michigan football as we've known it for almost four decades," Falk says as the players finish up pregame warm-ups. "But Michigan will always be Michigan."

And Falk will always be Falk.

"There's no respect for Michigan!" Falk screams at the players as they re-enter the locker room. "We're going to beat them - even if it takes all day!"

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Locker Room, Halftime

Michigan leads 21-14.

"This is the deal, we have the momentum and we are the more intense team," Carr says. "They can't stop us unless we stop ourselves. We're going to keep the pressure on them, and we're going after them! The crowd is as stunned as that team. This game is ours.

"This game is not about Florida! We don't care what they say or what they do. This next 30 minutes is about Michigan! Let's go!!!"

"Yeah," some scream.

"Yes, sir!" others shout.

Just before the team goes on the field for the last time, Carr tries to share some parting words, but he's so overcome with emotion that his words can't be heard a mere 10 feet away.

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Locker Room, Postgame

Carr walks into a wild celebration in the locker room, steps on a chair and hears goofy requests from his delirious players.

"Lloyd, take off your coat! Lloyd, get naked!" the Wolverines scream.

After choosing not to disrobe, Carr reminds his players to cherish Mandich's words from the previous night, congratulates them for defining their team with a big win, thanks his coaching staff and expresses his love.

"Gentleman," he says in closing, "you have given me something to remember for the rest of my life."

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