Llyod Carr, Michigan
The resume
National champion in 1997.
In first six seasons, has won three Big Ten Championships (1997, 1998, 2000)
Ranks 7th all-time in number of wins (58) in first six seasons as a head coach.
11-1 all-time against Top 10 opponents.
Career record: 58-16-0 (.771).
At what point in the season -- spring football, two-a-days, November -- at what point does it hit you that your team has a legitimate shot at a national championship?
Carr: For me, I realized we definitely had an opportunity after the ninth game of the 1997 season. It was after our best performance of the year, a 34-8 win on the road against Penn State. We went into the game ranked fourth and after the win we moved into first place in the polls. We still had to play Wisconsin on the road and Ohio State at home, but at that time, for the first time, I allowed myself to think about the national championship at least for a few minutes on the way back from the game.
I knew our team had come along way and had developed a great belief and confidence. I wanted to be able to give the team an overview of exactly where we were and yet I knew our success would depend on taking each of those remaining games one at a time.
How -- if at all -- does/did that realization change things?
Carr: What changes is the enormous pressure that comes once
you, the media and the fans realize that in fact you are a team that is capable of winning the national championship. I think that is without question the one thing that changes.
If there was a formula for producing a national championship at Michigan, what would it be?
Carr: Everybody's formula would be different. My own belief is that it begins with great work ethic, an unselfish attitude and an esprit de corps that only great teams have. I think you have to add in the fact you have to have a team that has the intelligence to understand what it takes to win as well as the knowledge of what will cause them to lose.
How much does luck play a factor?
Carr: I don't think a team wins the national championship being lucky. I do think that occasionally the bounce of a ball, a call that goes your way or a fluke injury factors in, but I don't consider those things luck.
On the field, is there any one thing you have to have? A leader at quarterback? A running back that can control time of possession? A stud defensive end? What is the one thing that's a necessity?
Carr: I don't think you can win a championship without desire and determination.
How important is team chemistry? Or is it something that talent and execution can overcome?
Carr: I've never been a part of a great team that did not have great camaraderie and I hope I'm never part of one.
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