Legendary U-M Golf Coach Carras Passes Away at 92
6/24/2025 10:14:00 AM | Men's Golf
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Jim Carras, legendary former head coach of the University of Michigan men's golf program (1983-2002), passed away peacefully early Saturday (June 21) at the age of 92. One of the most beloved coaches in the state of Michigan, Carras was known throughout the golf community for his impact on the game and the countless lives he touched.
Per his direction, there will be no services.
During his 24 years with Michigan, Carras coached and continued to develop some of the finest men's collegiate golf talent in the Midwest. The seventh coach in program history, he moved to the Wolverines' head coaching position in 1982 following four seasons as an assistant coach under Tom Simon (1978-82).
An avid golfer, the personable Carras was known as a players coach who possessed an uncanny ability to communicate with his team and relate to everyone on a personal level. The personal touch enabled him to produce Michigan students and Wolverine athletes who excelled in the classroom and on the course.
Academics always came before golf in Carras' system at Michigan. He said, "My basic philosophy is you come to the University of Michigan first and foremost to get your degree. Secondly, individuals come to Michigan to play collegiate golf. That's the order we always keep it in."
Attesting to this belief are the 39 Academic All-Big Ten citations earned since its inception in 1987. In addition to the conference classroom success, six of Carras' Wolverines have been honored as National Golf Coaches Association National Scholar Athletes: Michael Affeldt (1999, 2000); Anthony Dietz (1992, 1993); Michael Harris (1998, 1999, 2000); Bob Hennighan (1992); Isaac Hinkle (1997) and Kevin Vernick (1998).
On the course, nine Wolverines earned All-Big Ten honors, including three-time winner Harris (1998, 1999, 2000) and two-time award winners Dan Roberts (1983, 1985) and Kyle Dobbs (1995, 1997). Dobbs (1997) and Harris (1999) went on to become medalists at the Big Ten Championships, while Andy Matthews became Michigan's first Big Ten Freshman of the Year award winner in 1999.
Michigan finished as high as third at the Big Ten Championship (1985, 1988, 1995, 1997), and nine times the Wolverines finished among the top six conference teams. During the regular season, Carras' teams won six tournament titles and were in the top three 17 times
In addition to the Big Ten success, Carras guided three teams to NCAA Championships play. The 1994-95 team qualified and finished 12th at the NCAA Central Regional. His 1996-97 squad finished eighth at the NCAA Central Regional and advanced to the NCAA Championship, where the Wolverines finished 25th. Three years later, his 1999-2000 squad finished the season tied for 11th at the NCAA Central Regional, just missing the advancing cut.
Overall, Carras' squad won eight team titles and 17 individual titles, including Harris' program record of eight. Former Wolverine players mentored by Carras include PGA Tour professionals John Morse, Ed Humenik, Steve Maddalena, Justin Hicks and Harris.
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Carras attended Jones School, Slauson, Ann Arbor High School and served in the Army (1952-54). After graduating from Eastern Michigan University (1958), he was an elementary school teacher in Allen Park and Ann Arbor (Northside Elementary) for 10 years.
He and his late wife, Lou, lived in Ann Arbor and had four children and seven grandchildren.
Thoughts from the Michigan Golf family
"There are many coaches who have touched so many lives. Jim Carras was one of those. A firm handshake, honesty, and a smile that could fill a room will be the lasting memories of him. The golf programs have lost two legends, with former women's coach Sue LeClair last year and now Jim. Two foundational pillars. However, we will never forget them, what they accomplished, nor will all those who played, worked and learned from them."
-- Warde Manuel, Michigan's Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics
"Coach Carras' impact on the Michigan Golf community has been immeasurable. During his tenure, he helped shape the lives of countless student-athletes through his integrity, wisdom and unwavering commitment to excellence both on and off the course. Playing with his former players, they always share great memories of the road trips. As the current coach, I stand on the foundation he helped build. We are all indebted to his dedication and proud to carry forward the values he instilled in this program. Our thoughts are with his family, former players, and all who were fortunate to know him. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten."
-- Zach Barlow, current U-M Men's Golf Coach
"Jim Carras had a special connection with his players, the kind that stays with people long after their college years. I've heard many athletes say they don't remember every win or loss, but they remember how their coach made them feel. Jim made people feel supported, valued and encouraged. I felt that deeply as a young coach. He always had something kind to say and offered quiet confidence that what we were doing was meaningful. Jim represented everything good about college golf. He cared about people, had perspective, and invested in others. I'm lucky to have known him and proud to have learned from him."
-- Chris Whitten, former U-M men's golf coach (2011-19); executive director of the Golf Association of Michigan
"The two main things I will always remember about Coach Carras are how much he loved the University of Michigan and how he always made you laugh. His kindness was so great, it didn't matter who you were. He was going to help you and somehow drop in a joke during it. He forever left an indelible mark on me, and my family, and I will remember him fondly."
-- Andrew Sapp, former U-M golf coach (2003-11) and current head coach at Purdue
"Coach Carras was full of energy and incredible stories. When I first arrived in Ann Arbor, he helped me settle in as a new Michigan coach, and he quickly reiterated the important lesson of meaningful relationships, with your players and the people who support your program. He lived this daily life. His love for golf and the University of Michigan was infectious and I'll be forever grateful for the path he paved for me and Michigan Golf."
-- Jan Dowling, current U-M Women's Golf Coach
"Coach Carras was one of the most genuine and humble people you could ever meet. He had a heart for helping others, especially his student-athletes. Whether it was sharing his knowledge, offering a simple hug or giving a word of encouragement, he was always there steadfast and supportive. He made you feel safe, seen and valued. No matter what the situation, he had your back and gently guided you in the right direction. His presence made a lasting impact, and his legacy lives on in the many lives he touched."
-- Kathy Teichert, former U-M Women's Golf Coach (1994-2009)
"Coach Carras was one of the most influential and significant people in my life. I owe him so much for what he has done for me as a golfer, but more importantly as a man. After my sophomore year, I distinctly remember sitting in his office telling him all the summer tournaments I was going to play in and how great I'm going to be next year. He looked at me and said, 'Something well done is always better than something well said.' I've never forgotten that. He will be missed but never forgotten."
-- Michael Affeldt, former Wolverine (1997-2000)
"I was sad to hear the news of Coach Carras' passing. To me, Coach was an amazing mentor, role model, and friend that was a constant source of wisdom and encouragement. His passion for golf and people led to him having an incredible impact on me, as well as so many other players that came through Michigan's golf program. I believe his legacy will live on in his family, his friends, and his former players. I am keeping his family and loved ones in my thoughts during this difficult time and wish everyone the best."
-- Michael Harris, former Wolverine All-American (1997-2000)
"I had the honor and privilege of playing for Coach Carras for four unforgettable years. From the moment I was being recruited, it was his generosity, sense of humor and warmth that drew me (and my parents) in. Saying he genuinely cared about each of his players and their families doesn't begin to capture the depth of his compassion and commitment. He was an eternal optimist, and the countless life lessons he shared will stay with me forever."
-- Brent Idalski, former Wolverine (1993-97)
"Coach Carras always saw the bigger picture. Golf may have been what brought us to Michigan, but he knew our time in Ann Arbor would be about far more than any score we shot or accolade we earned. He built a true sense of family within every team he coached and made it clear we were there for each other and to earn our degree above all else. For Coach, it was always family, academics, then golf -- in that order. Those values shaped the experience for everyone who played for him, and they continue to live on in all of us. I'm incredibly grateful to have been part of the program he led."
-- Andy Matthews, former Wolverine (1999-2002)
"Coach Carras embodied what a true Michigan Man was all about. Although I didn't have the fortune to play for him, he was always around during my tenure and paid close attention to how we were doing as a team and individually. I was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with him during my career at Michigan and will be hard-pressed to find a better human being. Thank you, coach, for all you've done for Michigan Golf, and you will be missed!"
-- Nick Pumford, former U-M golfer (2006-09), assistant coach (2012-16) and current head coach at Oakland
