In Memoriam - Coach Jim Carras
In late July, the University of Michigan community suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of former men’s golf coach Jim Carras. Serving as head coach of the program for twenty years, Coach Carras led his players to win seventeen individual titles and eight team titles, including multiple top-six finishes at the Big Ten Championships.
Coach Carras did more than lead his teams to victory. He was a welcoming face on campus and the biggest supporter of his players both on and off the fairway. He was credited for having a smile and laugh that could light up a room, and was known by his team not just as a coach, but as a friend.
There are countless Letterwinners who have certainly felt the loss of such an incredible leader, including Board Member Brent Idalski, who played under Coach Carras’s leadership (‘94 - ‘97) and has written about Carras’s effect on his time at Michigan:
“The University of Michigan and the broader Ann Arbor community are mourning the loss of someone who was far more than a Division 1 collegiate coach. Coach Jim Carras was a mentor, an eternal optimist, and a true friend to so many. Born and raised in Ann Arbor, he led the Michigan men’s golf program from 1983 - 2002. Coach had Maize and Blue running through his veins – a true embodiment of Michigan spirit. Coach changed lives, mine included. Like so many former players, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have called him a friend.
His voice, laugh, and walk were unmistakable. At tournaments, you didn’t even have to ask how the team was doing - you could read it in his stride as he shuffled down the fairway. I remember so many of Coach’s traits like it was yesterday. One of my favorites was his signature response: “Do what please?” that he would say whenever he didn’t quite catch what you said. That was classic Coach, always trying to help, even when he wasn’t sure what was being asked.
When I came to Ann Arbor for my official recruiting visit, arriving on campus felt daunting. But Coach welcomed my family with open arms. As a nervous and quiet teenager, Coach was able to pull me out of my shell with his upbeat personality and jokes. He had the ability to make you feel like you were the only one in the room. He took great pride in Michigan’s academic and athletic excellence, as well as the spirit of Ann Arbor. It was contagious and I knew I was home.
Humble by nature, Coach always put others before himself. Even after retiring, he continued to give generously – opening his home to visitors and sharing his football and basketball tickets simply to brighten someone’s day. He found genuine joy in making others happy.
One of his most touching gestures was sending birthday cards to players and their children – a small act that undoubtedly left a lasting impression.
In the fall of 2024, I returned to Ann Arbor for the inaugural Letterwinners M Club Gala and had the chance to visit Coach one last time. Though his memory and wit began to fade and his mobility was declining, his smile and contagious laughter was still very much alive. That visit, and so many other moments, will stay with me forever.
Coach Carras leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humility, and unwavering passion for the University of Michigan. His influence shaped lives far and beyond the fairways, and his memory will remain a part of Michigan forever.”
Coach Jim Carras’s legacy continues to live on through our Letterwinners and all of those involved in the men’s golf program at the University of Michigan. Together, we thank Coach Carras for his profound impact on our community and continue to remember him with respect and honor.