'All-Time Great Gator," Former Florida OL, AD Bill Carr Passes Away

Former Florida center and athletic director, Bill Carr, has passed away. He was 78 years old.

Former Florida All-American offensive lineman-turned-Gators athletic director Bill Carr passed away on Feb. 3, according to the Orlando Sentinel. He was 78 years old.

A native of Gainesville, who was raised in Vero Beach and Pensacola, Carr remained in the Sunshine State and returned to his hometown for college to play football for the Gators in 1964, marking the beginning of an illustrious, multi-faceted career sporting orange and blue. 

First, Carr became the Gators' starting center for three seasons, with the responsibility of snapping the ball to his roommate, legendary Florida quarterback and head coach Steve Spurrier. 

The duo worked in tandem to a historic 1966 campaign, in which Carr was named an All-SEC and All-American offensive lineman while Spurrier won the first Heisman Trophy in school history. Florida went 9-2 and defeated Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, 27-12, that season. 

Following his 1967 fourth-round NFL Draft selection by the New Orleans Saints, Carr spent two years in the U.S. Army and ultimately hung up his cleats without playing in the pros. 

He returned to Gainesville again originally serving in a graduate assistant coaching capacity under former Florida head coach Doug Dickey while continuing his education. 

But after losing the desire to coach, Carr in 1974 transitioned to the administrative side of college athletics in an assistant role under then-UF athletic director Ray Graves, who was his and Spurrier's head coach in the 1960s. By 1979, when Graves retired from the post, Carr had earned the position of athletic director for his alma mater. 

Although it required the temporary removal of varsity wrestling and volleyball, Carr is credited with pulling the athletic program out of the $700,000 debt he inherited upon taking office. His focus on facilities led to the expansion of Florida Field in the early 1980s and the completion of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in 1980. 

On the football field, the Gators produced a 50-27-4 record while Carr was UF's athletic director. 

While the tenure was highlighted by an SEC Championship in 1984 under head coach Galen Hall, the victory was stripped following NCAA infractions that led to the forced resignation of head coach Charley Pell early in the season. Carr resigned from his position nearly two years later, in 1986. 

Among other undertakings, Carr went on to serve as Houston's athletic director from 1993-97, founded CarrSports Consulting in 1997 and led Athletics Career Spear as the enterprise's executive coach from 2020 until his passing. 

Returning to the gridiron of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in 2015, Carr memorably led the Gators' pre-game chant as Honorary Mr. 2 Bits ahead of Florida's season-opening matchup with New Mexico State. 

Spurrier, former Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley and current UF athletic director Scott Stricklin each released statements via social media on Sunday in the wake of Carr's death, calling Carr an "all-time great Gator." 

"I was fortunate to see him just a couple of weeks ago and he was battling some health issues. He told me he was prepared to go to Heaven and when the Good Lord called his number he would be ready to go," Spurrier wrote. 

"His teammates called him Willie C and he loved his school and everyone around him. We loved him back and all of us have so many wonderful memories of Bill." 

Our hearts are saddened to hear the passing of Bill Carr.

Forever remembering him in Orange & Blue. Forever a Gator 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/E3DOOWbU5a

— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) February 4, 2024

Scott Carter, senior writer for FloridaGators.com, penned an extended obituary in memory of Carr that can be read here. 

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