[Lil' Lavery]

Even with a "What have you done recently" mentality, firing Carr would still be a poor choice. In the last 3 seasons, he has a 27-10 (.729) record, with two Rose Bowl appearances, including 11-2 last season. Two trips to the BCS, aka (usually) the Top 10 at regular season's end, is no laughing matter.
And patience is a virtue too seldom practiced, but rewarded in college football. Let's look at a coach with a similar problem a couple years ago. Mack Brown struggled to beat Oklahoma and win the Big 12. He lost 4 (maybe more) straight games to the Sooners, and couldn't even capture the Big 12 South. But then in 2005, he led Texas over the Sooners, and then over USC (and everyone else) and to a National Championship. And Mack Brown's career coaching record isn't even as good as Carr's (.650 winning %).
Ironically, Brown started his coaching career at...Appalachian State
Now Brown is only one of three coaches with 10 or more wins each of the past three seasons, Pete Carrol and Frank Beamer the others. And Beamer makes another suitable example. When he took over Virginia Tech it wasn't a national powerhouse, in fact, it was much closer to the other end of the spectrum. From 1987-1993 he only had two winning seasons. After his 2-8-1 mark in 1993, many wanted him fired, but VT was patient. In 1994, the Hokies went 9-3, beginning their streak of bowl appearances (the nations longest, currently at 14 consecutive years), winning seasons, and rise to the ranks of national powerhouse teams. As mentioned, they are now one of only three teams with three consecutive double-digit win seasons.

The bottom line is, Carr is one of the most successful coaches in the nation, and more than likely, the best coach possible for Michigan at this time. Appalachian State won that game more than Michigan lost it, especially in the second half, when they blocked the two field goals. Appalachian state has some talent, although the have nowhere near the depth of Michigan, and utilized that talent to the maximum. If anyone is to blame, it's Appalachian State, not Lloyd Carr.