In a moment of honor for college football, former Michigan Wolverines head coach Lloyd Carr has been awarded the prestigious National Football Foundation (NFF) Gold Medal, the organization’s highest distinction. The award, which recognizes excellence both on and off the field, was presented during the 2025 NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas, celebrating Carr’s extraordinary contributions to the sport, leadership, and integrity.
Lloyd Carr, who served as Michigan’s head coach from 1995 to 2007, is revered not only for his 122-40 record and 1997 national championship season, but also for his character and mentorship of young athletes. The NFF highlighted Carr’s “commitment to the values of education, sportsmanship, and community service” as key reasons for bestowing the honor upon him.
Among the many tributes that poured in following the announcement, one in particular stood out — a heartfelt and powerful message from former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel. Known for their fierce rivalry during the early 2000s, Tressel and Carr’s coaching careers became intertwined in one of the most competitive eras of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry.
“Though we stood on opposite sidelines, I always had deep respect for Lloyd Carr,” Tressel said in a statement. “He is the embodiment of what college football is supposed to be — tough, principled, and dedicated to developing young men into leaders. This honor is more than deserved.”
Tressel, who led the Buckeyes from 2001 to 2010 and finished with a 9-1 record against Michigan, acknowledged that while their on-field battles were intense, there was always mutual admiration off the field. “We competed fiercely, no doubt,” he said. “But Lloyd always coached with class and dignity. He set a standard that made the rivalry great.”
The message carried additional weight considering Tressel’s own stature in college football. Like Carr, Tressel was a national championship-winning coach and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. His words reflected not just professional courtesy, but a genuine appreciation for Carr’s impact on the game.
“Lloyd has always cared more about the young men he coached than just the wins,” Tressel added. “When you talk to his former players, you hear about the life lessons, the guidance, and the love. That’s what makes this Gold Medal award so fitting.”
Carr, 79, responded with humility and grace, thanking Tressel personally. “I always respected Jim,” Carr said. “He brought out the best in me as a coach, and our teams pushed each other to greatness. To hear those words from him means a lot.”
In a sport often defined by rivalries and competition, the moment served as a reminder of the deeper bonds that form between leaders who shape the lives of countless student-athletes. The mutual respect between Carr and Tressel is a testament to the character both men brought to their programs.
As Lloyd Carr joins the ranks of past NFF Gold Medal recipients like Dwight D. Eisenhower and Jackie Robinson, his legacy as a coach, mentor, and man of integrity is cemented. And in a rare and moving gesture, Jim Tressel’s message of respect added a heartfelt chapter to their storied rivalry — one that transcends wins and losses, and speaks to the enduring spirit of the game.
