Carr To Drive Michigan After Wolverines A.D. Takes Experts’ Advice

Saying he did not want to be rushed into such an important decision, Michigan athletic director Joe Roberson will temporarily stick with Lloyd Carr as football coach of the Wolverines.

Carr, appointed interim coach a week ago after Gary Moeller resigned in the wake of a drunken confrontation with police, will serve at least through the 1995 season.

“I’m trying to reduce the pressure on me,” Roberson said at a news conference Tuesday. “Putting pressure on to rush the situation seemed totally irresponsible.”

Roberson said the move will allow him to search at a more leisurely pace and give his team greater stability.

Carr, 49, will start his 16th season at Michigan. He was close to Moeller and upset his friend was forced to resign. At that time, he assailed the media. On Tuesday, he apologized.

“I have been criticized over some comments I made last week and I don’t say those criticisms were unjust,” Carr said. “I’m an emotional guy.”

Roberson had originally planned to hire a new coach before the start of the season, which opens Aug. 26 when the Wolverines play host to Virginia in the Pigskin Classic.

But talks with former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler and Penn State coach Joe Paterno, among others, convinced Roberson to pull back and take his time.