“You can’t do everything but you can do something”
“Blame no one, expect nothing, do something.”
— Coach Lloyd Carr
Carr’s chant on the field would come to mean so much more when his grandson was faced with the ultimate opponent – diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), an aggressive brain tumor with no cure. The strength and determination Carr instilled in his family helped them channel their grief into action and create real change in the world of childhood brain cancer.
Career at U of M
Lloyd Carr’s illustrious career with the University of Michigan football program spanned an impressive 28 years, leaving a lasting mark on the team’s legacy.
Beginning as an assistant coach in 1980 under Bo Schembechler and later Gary Moeller, Carr gained expertise while primarily serving as the defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator until 1994.
Coach Carr’s extensive knowledge and dedication led to the position of head coach from 1995 to 2007, during which he achieved remarkable success, including leading the Wolverines to a national championship in 1997.
Carr’s contributions to the sport earned him well-deserved recognition, as he was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, and the U of M Athletic Hall of Honor in 2015. Throughout his tenure, Carr’s leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the student-athlete experience garnered immense respect.
Fighting DIPG
Beyond his accomplishments as Coach, Lloyd is proudly Chad Carr‘s Papa. He has demonstrated an unwavering passion for combatting diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a devastating type of childhood tumor that claimed the life of his beloved grandson Chad.
“When Chad was diagnosed, I knew then that the outcome wasn’t going to be good,” said Lloyd Carr. “What he endured, no kid should ever have to go through, and no family should ever have to witness.”
Coach Carr’s personal involvement in the fight against DIPG began on September 23, 2014, when Chad was first admitted to Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. It was during Chad’s stay in the Coach Carr wing of the hospital, named in honor of his grandfather, that the Carr family received the devastating diagnosis of DIPG.
Heartbreak
Chad’s brave battle came to an end just 14 months after his diagnosis. In the wake of their heartbreaking loss, Lloyd Carr ardently supported his family’s efforts to establish the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation. Originally known as the ChadTough Foundation, it aims to raise crucial funds and awareness to enable the development of innovative treatment options and instill hope in future families grappling with this disease. The foundation’s primary mission revolves around funding groundbreaking research and fostering collaboration among scientists, doctors, and experts in the field to accelerate progress in the development of a cure.
“Out of my family’s heartache came a resolution to do something,” said Carr. “The ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation has now given hope to other families who are faced with this awful disease.”
Leveraging his extensive connections within the football community and beyond, Carr rallied athletes, coaches, and celebrities to unite in support of the cause and shine a spotlight on the urgent need for more research. He played an instrumental role in organizing various events, fundraisers, and campaigns aimed at generating support and funding for DIPG research.
Honoring Chad
Continuing to honor Chad’s legacy, Carr remains an esteemed member of the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation as a board member emeritus. He has wholeheartedly engaged in numerous events and speaking engagements dedicated to raising awareness of DIPG and advocating for critical research funding to combat this aggressive disease. Carr’s unwavering dedication and involvement serve as a powerful testament to his commitment to making a lasting impact in the fight to defeat DIPG.
Read more about Lloyd Carr’s involvement with the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation in a beautiful piece by Maureen Dowd published here in the New York Times.
