Jim Carras, the longtime head coach of the University of Michigan men’s golf team, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 21, at the age of 92.
He led the Wolverines from 1983 to 2002 and was widely respected not just for his coaching success but for the positive impact he had on his players and the golf community in Michigan.
According to his wishes, no public services will be held.
Carras became head coach after serving as an assistant from 1978 to 1982.
Over his 24-year career leading the team, he helped shape some of the top college golf talent in the Midwest.
A Life Of Dedication: Jim Carras’s Legacy In Golf, Family, And Education
Jim Carras’s wife, Lou, passed away in 2012, just before they would have celebrated 50 years of marriage.
Family and friends were invited to visit on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at the Nie Family Funeral Home on Liberty Road, with a Trisagion service held that evening.
Her funeral took place on January 19, 2018, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor, followed by burial at Bethlehem Cemetery.
Jim and his late wife, Lou, made their home in Ann Arbor, where they raised four children. Together, they were also proud grandparents to seven grandchildren.
Sadly, Jim and Lou Carras lost their son, James L. “Jim” Fenton, on March 30, 2011, in Largo, Florida, at the age of 59. His passing was a deep loss for the family.
However, 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.
Academics always came before golf in Carras’ system at Michigan.
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).
In addition to the Big Ten success, Carras guided three teams to NCAA Championship 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.
None of this would have been possible without the steady support of his wife, Lou, who stood by him throughout his coaching journey.
Rest in peace, Jim Carras!
