ORLANDO - Lloyd Carr had one thing to say to his team after his final game as Michigan head coach - thank you.
BI told them I loved them,C he said. BMost importantly I thanked them. That?s what a leader does. The last thing you need to do is say thank you.C
For all Carr?s gratefulness for a 41-35 win against UF in the Capital One Bowl, it was the players who felt indebted.
Since announcing his resignation on Nov. 19 Carr has tried to downplay the importance of his departure on the bowl game. For his players, it was their main motivation.
BHe just didn?t want the focus to be on him,C offensive tackle Jake Long said. BThat?s the type of guy he is. We definitely wanted to win this game for him. Just being able to send him out on top œ that?s the way it?s meant to be for him.C
Carr stressed his desire to win the game for the team?s seniors, who had never experienced a bowl victory thanks to a four-game losing streak in the postseason (which started after a 38-30 win over the Gators in the 2002 Outback Bowl).
But the Wolverines (9-4) saw their chance to upset 10.5-point favorite UF (9-4) as a quest for their coach.
BWe definitely wanted to do this for Coach Carr,C said receiver Adrian Arrington, who had a game-high 153 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches. BCoach Carr was like, 'Do this for the team,? and we said, 'No coach, we?re doing this for you.?C
The post-game lockerroom scene was one of unbridled joy for Michigan, as players danced around Carr chanting his name like villagers honoring their king.
When the raucous died down, Carr had a final message for his players.
BYou?ve done something that you?ll never forget as long as you live, but the most important thing that?s part of the opportunity you have in coming here is to get an education,C he said. BSo finish it. You vowed last night that you would give everything you had for 60 minutes. Vow right now that you?ll finish your degree so you take the most important thing out of this experience.C
New Coach Rich Rodriguez officially takes control of the program today, and as Carr trades in game film and clipboards for a fishing pole, he said he?ll struggle to fill the void left by football.
BI really doubt that I ever will (replace coaching),C he said. BI don?t think there?s anything that is as fulfilling as coaching. I never went to work coaching and wasn?t looking forward to the day. There were some days that were a lot better than others and some really hard ones in there, but I never woke up not wanting to be there.C
Carr fought back tears when asked about his wish for the UM program in the future: BI hope they win every game. Every time. That?s all we?ve always tried to do.C
