CONGRATULATIONS: Michigan Wolverines Legend Lloyd Carr Awarded the Prestigious National Football Foundation Gold Medal
The National Football Foundation (NFF) has bestowed one of college football’s highest honors on a true legend of the game. Lloyd Carr, the iconic former head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, has been named the recipient of the 2025 NFF Gold Medal, recognizing his lifetime of leadership, integrity, and contributions to the sport and society.
The Gold Medal, considered the most prestigious honor awarded by the NFF, is given to individuals whose accomplishments transcend the gridiron. Past recipients include U.S. Presidents, military heroes, and titans of industry. For Carr, this award acknowledges not just his success on the field, but his enduring legacy as a mentor, educator, and advocate for student-athletes.
Carr, who led the Wolverines from 1995 to 2007, compiled a stellar 122-40 record during his 13-year tenure. He guided Michigan to five Big Ten titles and, most memorably, a share of the national championship in 1997 — the program’s first since 1948. That season, under Carr’s steady leadership, the Wolverines went undefeated and Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson became a national sensation.
“Lloyd Carr represents everything that is right about college football,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “He has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to excellence, education, and the development of young men. He is a true role model.”
Beyond the wins and trophies, Carr is known for his integrity and deep commitment to his players’ personal growth. He was often praised for emphasizing academics, instilling discipline, and building character. Many of his former players have gone on to successful careers both in and out of football, often citing Carr’s influence as instrumental.
The announcement was met with an outpouring of congratulations from the Michigan community and beyond. University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel praised Carr as “a transformative leader whose contributions go far beyond the football field.”
In retirement, Carr has continued to serve the university and greater community, supporting causes like the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, named in honor of his grandson, Chad, who passed away from brain cancer in 2015. His advocacy for pediatric brain cancer research has been both personal and powerful.
Lloyd Carr will be officially honored at the 2025 NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas, where he will join an elite list of Gold Medal recipients. For fans of college football — and especially those who bleed maize and blue — this recognition is a long-overdue tribute to a man whose impact has been felt far beyond the Big House.
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