Lloyd Carr Talks Shop At Speaker Series
Florida Citrus Sports welcomed University of Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr to Orlando on Friday, June 23 for its first Speaker Series event of 2006-07. Speaking to a crowd of FCSports members and guests, he addressed a number of topics about college football and about the outlook for the 2006 Wolverines.
During the presentation, the coach made a point to praise Orlando, both as a city and a bowl destination. He spoke about the fun that he and his players had during previous trips for the New Year’s Day game (currently the Capital One Bowl). “We have been to a lot of bowls, but no place have we had a better time than here,” he told the crowd. “No one does a better job than Orlando. This bowl has built a great tradition.” Michigan has been to a bowl game in each of the last 31 seasons, including the last 11 under Carr. The Wolverines have made three trips to Orlando, all in the last seven years, with the most recent being a 45-17 loss to Tennessee in 2002. They are 2-1 all-time in Orlando.
After giving the audience a rundown of spring practice and the progress of his current team, Coach Carr spoke about their goals for this fall. He talked about the development of freshman and Edgewater High School graduate Greg Mathews, as well as more experienced players like Chad Henne and Michael Hart. “You will hear a lot about this year,” Carr said. “He is everything you would want in a student-athlete.”
Carr was also candid about a number of prevalent subjects in the world of college football. He talked about the Big Ten’s impending 24-hour television network to increase their exposure nationally. He also addressed the pressures of winning in the current BCS system, and how it affects scheduling. According to Carr, nine of the 11 Big Ten schools will play Division I-AA schools this season.
“Losing one regular season game will knock you out of the BCS,” he said. “That fact creates tough choices in scheduling for athletics directors and coaches.”
A widespoken opponent of a playoff system in college football, he praised the bowls. “The bowl system makes college football special,” Carr said, but he conceded, “I do think when the BCS was established we began moving towards a playoff system.”
Several notable Michigan alumni were in attendance, including former football players Tom Neal, John Lott and Gerald White, as well as former Major League Baseball player and 1995 National League MVP Barry Larkin, formerly of the Cincinnati Reds.
Stay tuned to FCSports.com for information on future Speaker Series events, as well as other opportunities to get involved in FCSports!